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.
Dope Thief enlivens the formula with a pair of performances from Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura that plunge us into the depths of male loneliness, then pull us out of the dark with a tender, vulnerable friendship that is as gooey and soft as the show surrounding it is bleak and bloody. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025 But a darker turn, especially linked to Jo’s obsession with becoming prom queen, might have enlivened the film’s middle by heightening the stakes. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025 But on a dreary Sunday afternoon last fall, bouquets of white roses and blue hydrangeas enlivened the Spanish marble columbarium where Drakeo the Ruler is interred. Jeff Weiss, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2025 The room is enlivened by a feature ceiling incorporating wood and cork. Adam Williams, New Atlas, 18 Feb. 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 6 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

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