Standard Lemma guide

belive

adv · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /bɪˈlaɪ̯v/ weak vowel distinction
  • [bɪˈlaɪ̯v] weak vowel distinction
  • /bəˈlaɪ̯v/ weak vowel merger
  • [bəˈlaɪ̯v] weak vowel merger
  • rhymes with -aɪv

1

adv

Meaning 1

Quickly, forthwith.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: obsolete outside Scotland

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

Soon, presently, before long; by and by; anon

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Scotland, dialectal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To remain, stay.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: dialectal, intransitive

Qualifier: otherwise obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Middle English bilive (“actively, vigorously, eagerly, gladly, quickly, at once”), with syncopated alternative form blive. The adverb is from a contraction of by /bi + live (dative form of lyf, "life"), literally, "by life".

From Middle English beliven, from Old English belīfan (“to remain”), from Proto-West Germanic *bilīban, from Proto-Germanic *bilībaną (“to remain”), from Proto-Germanic *bi- + Proto-Indo-European *leyp- (“to stick, glue”). Cognate with West Frisian bliuwe (“to stay”), Dutch blijven (“to remain”), German bleiben (“to remain”), Danish blive (“to be, remain”). More at leave.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: bleiben — to remain, stay
  • Russian: остава́ться (ostavátʹsja) — to remain, stay