Live
/lɪv/
Definitions
5 meaningsTo have life; to exist.
/lɪv/
To be alive; have life.
People live in cities and towns.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're a plant, getting sunlight and water. To 'live' means you're growing and staying alive. Like, "I live in a house" means you exist there and spend your time there.
👶 For kids: To be alive! Like plants and animals. You eat, drink, and play to live.
More Examples
The animals live in the forest.
She lives a healthy lifestyle.
How It's Used
"Humans live on Earth."
"The bacteria live in the soil."
To have one's home or reside in a place.
/lɪv/
To reside or dwell.
They live in a small apartment.
💡 Simply: This means to have your home somewhere. Like, "I live at my grandma's house" or "They live on a farm."
👶 For kids: To have a home. Like where you sleep and eat.
More Examples
I live close to the beach.
She lives a very quiet life.
How It's Used
"He lives in London."
"They lived together for many years."
To experience a particular period, situation, or emotion.
/lɪv/
To experience or undergo.
She lived a long and happy life.
💡 Simply: This means you've gone through something, like a moment or event. For example, 'They lived through the storm' means they were there while it happened.
👶 For kids: To go through or have a time. Like having a birthday party or going to school.
More Examples
They lived through the economic crisis.
He has lived a very full life.
How It's Used
"They lived through a difficult period."
"He lived to see the end of the war."
Happening or being broadcast at the time it is happening, not recorded.
/laɪv/
Not recorded; broadcast at the time of occurrence.
The game is broadcast live every Sunday.
💡 Simply: This is like a TV show or concert that's happening right now, not something you watch later. It’s live because you're watching it while it’s happening.
👶 For kids: Happening right now! Like a show you watch on TV when it is happening.
More Examples
They are performing live in front of a large audience.
We watched a live stream of the event.
How It's Used
"The concert was broadcast live on television."
"A live performance."
Full of energy, active, and vibrant.
/laɪv/
Full of life and energy.
The city has a live music scene.
💡 Simply: When something's 'live' in this way, it means it's exciting and full of energy, like a fun party or an interesting discussion.
👶 For kids: Full of fun and energy! Like a super exciting game!
More Examples
The crowd was very live.
They are bringing a live performance to the festival.
How It's Used
"The party had a live atmosphere."
"A lively debate."
Synonyms
Be
Breathe
Exist
Dwell
Inhabit
Endure
Experience
Active
Energetic
Antonyms
Die
Depart
Leave
Avoid
Escape
Delayed
Boring
Dull
Inactive
Lifeless
Idioms & expressions
live and learn
Used to express that one has learned something new, often from a mistake or experience.
"I forgot to set the alarm. Live and learn!"
live on
To continue to exist or be remembered.
"His memory will live on."
live it up
To enjoy life to the fullest, often in an extravagant way.
"They went on a trip to live it up after their wedding."
live out
To spend the remainder of one's life.
"She lived out her days in a quiet town."
From Old English libban 'to live, be alive, dwell'. Cognate with German leben and Dutch leven.
The Old English word 'libban' was used to describe the state of being alive or to dwell.
Memory tip
Think of the 'live' broadcast - it's happening *now* and is full of life!