live
live Lexical Profile
live Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Having life; living; not dead or inanimate.
"Researchers carefully transported the live specimens to the marine laboratory."
Heard or watched at the time of an event's occurrence, or performed in front of an audience rather than recorded.
"The jazz quartet gave a memorable live performance at the downtown theater."
Connected to a source of electric current, glowing with heat, or containing unexploded energy.
"The electrician warned the crew not to touch the live wires during the renovation."
Of current relevance, interest, or importance; still under active discussion.
"Affordable housing remains a live issue in municipal politics."
• verb
To make one's home in a particular place or with a particular person; to reside.
"She lived in Kyoto for three years while completing her architectural fellowship."
To remain alive; to have life, biological existence, or animation.
"Tortoises can live for well over a hundred years in their natural habitat."
To spend or pass one's life in a specified manner or under particular conditions.
"They chose to live a quiet, sustainable life in the countryside."
To enjoy life to the fullest through rich, varied, and fulfilling experiences.
"After retiring from her corporate job, she traveled the globe and felt she was finally beginning to live."
• adverb
At the actual time of occurrence; during a real-time performance or broadcast rather than from a recording.
"The championship match was broadcast live to millions of viewers around the world."
Word Nuance & Usage
The word 'live' is a heteronym: as a verb (/lɪv/), it rhymes with 'give', whereas as an adjective or adverb (/laɪv/), it rhymes with 'hive'. Additionally, the adjective 'live' is used almost exclusively attributively before a noun (e.g., 'a live animal'), whereas 'alive' is used predicatively after a linking verb (e.g., 'the animal is alive').
• Rhymes for live
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
As a verb, it descends from Old English 'libban' (to be, have life, continue in life), of Proto-Germanic origin. As an adjective and adverb, it developed as a shortened aphetic form of 'alive', from Old English 'on līfe' (in life).