enliven

verb

en·​liv·​en in-ˈlī-vən How to pronounce enliven (audio)
en-
enlivened; enlivening; enlivens

transitive verb

: to give life, action, or spirit to : animate
fresh flowers enliven the room
enlivenment noun
plural enlivenments
But for the formation of opinion, for the stirring and enlivenment of thought, and for the discernment of colour and proportion, the gifts of travel … are priceless Winston Churchill
Choose the Right Synonym for enliven

quicken, animate, enliven, vivify mean to make alive or lively.

quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert.

the arrival of spring quickens the earth

animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial.

happiness animated his conversation

enliven suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness or torpidity.

enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes

vivify implies a freshening or energizing through renewal of vitality.

new blood needed to vivify the dying club

Examples of enliven in a Sentence

He enlivened his speech with a few jokes. a soup enlivened by chili peppers A few touches of color will enliven the room.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These allows the blooms to frame your exterior and create a stunning look that softens the lines of your architecture and enliven the scene. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025 The pedestal had an unusual feature for the drive-in resorts of the day: A sidewalk arcade of shops and restaurants that enlivened street life on Collins Avenue. Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2025 Barry Jenkins’s best efforts to enliven the Lion King prequel, Mufasa, couldn’t prevent it from feeling like a capital-p Product. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2025 Black remained a powerful statement color across brands’ collections, but is frequently enlivened with unexpected pops of vibrant hues. Angela Lei, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enliven

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of enliven was in 1604

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enliven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enliven. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

enliven

verb
en·​liv·​en in-ˈlī-vən How to pronounce enliven (audio)
: to give life, action, or spirit to : animate
enliven the party with dance music

More from Merriam-Webster on enliven

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!