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Definition of liven

liven

/ˈlaɪ.vən/
liv · en
Adjective:lively
•
Past Simple:livened
•
Past Participle:livened
•
Present Participle:livening
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liven Lexical Profile

liven Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To make or become more lively, cheerful, exciting, or interesting (usually followed by "up").

Example

"A few colorful paintings and indoor plants will quickly liven up the otherwise plain office space."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for liven
Antonyms
View all antonyms for liven

Word Nuance & Usage

In modern English, "liven" is almost exclusively used with the particle "up" as the phrasal verb "liven up"; when used as a standalone single-word verb, the prefixed form "enliven" is generally preferred.

• Rhymes for liven

• Nearby Words

liveliness
livelong
lively
liven
liver
liveried
liverpool

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 17th century from the adjective "live" (shortened from "alive", from Old English "on līfe") combined with the verbal suffix "-en", meaning "to make or become".

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Liven. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/liven
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