Phrase guide

liven up

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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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To improve a person's mood by making them more energetic.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Darren looks down at the moment; let's try to liven him up.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cheer up, liven, animate, arouse, awaken, beghast, leaven, bright, brighten, cheer, energize, enliven, enthuse, exalt, excite, fire up, ginger, ginger up, inflame, invigorate, inspire, inspirit, jazz, kindle, liven up, perk up, quicken, spice, spice up, stimulate, vitalise

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To become more happy, energetic or positive.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • The party livened up after they brought out the cake.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: blithen, cheer up, gladden

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

make lively

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • let's liven up this room a bit

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: enliven, liven, invigorate, animate

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: stimulate, arouse, brace, energize, energise, perk up

Narrower terms: jazz up, juice up, pep up, ginger up, spirit, spirit up, inspirit

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Galician: animar — improve a person's mood
  • German: aufmuntern — improve a person's mood
  • Irish: beoigh suas — improve a person's mood
  • Latin: animō — improve a person's mood
  • Russian: приободрить (priobodritʹ) — improve a person's mood
  • Galician: animar — become more happy
  • German: aufleben — become more happy
  • Latin: animō — become more happy
  • Russian: приободриться (priobodritʹsja) — become more happy
  • Swedish: leva upp — become more happy