lively. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

The American Heritage^® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

lively

SYLLABICATION:	live·ly
PRONUNCIATION:	lvl
ADJECTIVE:	Inflected forms: live·li·er, live·li·est 1. Full of life and energy; vigorous: a lively baby. 2. Full of spirit; gay and animated: a lively tune. 3. Marked by animated intelligence: a lively discussion. 4. Invigorating; refreshing. 5. Effervescent; sparkling. 6. Keen; brisk: gave the kitchen floor a lively sweeping. 7. Rebounding readily upon impact; resilient: a lively tennis ball. See synonyms at active.
ADVERB:	With energy or vigor; briskly: Step lively!
ETYMOLOGY:	Middle English lifli, from Old English lflc, from lf, life. See leip- in Appendix I.
OTHER FORMS:	liveli·ly —ADVERB liveli·ness —NOUN


The American Heritage^® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.