This child and kitten are alive.
- The definition of alive is having life or existing.
A kitten, a child and a fish are each an example of something that is alive.
- having life; living
- in existence, operation, etc.; unextinguished: to keep old memories alive
- lively; alert
Origin of aliveMiddle English alyfe, on live ; from Old English on līfe; on, in + līfe, dative of līf, life
- Having life; living. See Synonyms at living.
- In existence or operation; active: keep your hopes alive.
- Full of living or moving things; abounding: a pool alive with trout.
- Full of activity or animation; lively: a face alive with mischief.
- Sports In play; live: a foul called when the ball is alive.
Origin of aliveMiddle English : a-, in a specified state; see a–2 + live, life (from Old English līf; see life).
(comparative more alive, superlative most alive)
- Having life, in opposition to dead; living; being in a state in which the organs perform their functions; as, an animal or a plant which is alive.
- In a state of action; in force or operation; unextinguished; unexpired; existent
- to keep the fire alive; to keep the affections alive.
- Exhibiting the activity and motion of many living beings; swarming; thronged.
- The Boyne, for a quarter of a mile, was alive with muskets and green boughs. -- Thomas Babington Macaulay.
- Sprightly; lively; brisk.
- Having susceptibility; easily impressed; having lively feelings, as opposed to apathy; sensitive.
- Tremblingly alive to nature's laws. -- William Falconer.
- As intensifier, of all living.
- Northumberland was the proudest man alive. --Edward Hyde Clarendon.
- As intensifier, used colloquially "man alive!", "sakes alive!".
- Alive always follows the noun which it qualifies.
From Old English on live, on līfe (“in life”); līfe, dative of līf (“life”)