WordofTheDay.US

Added 4 October 2026

live

/ˈlɪv/ verb

Categories: Mind & IdeasEveryday Words

In Latin: vivo, vigeo Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about live at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. To be alive; to have life.
    He's not expected to live for more than a few months.
  2. To have permanent residence somewhere, to inhabit, to reside.
    I live at 2a Acacia Avenue. At that time I'd been living in a camper for about six months.
  3. To survive; to persevere; to continue.

adjective

  1. Having life; that is alive.
    The post office will not ship live animals.
  2. Being in existence; actual.
    He is a live example of the consequences of excessive drinking.
  3. Having active properties; being energized.
    Because the vaccinia virus is live, it is important to follow care instructions for the vaccination site.

adverb

  1. Of an event, as it happens; in real time; direct.
    The concert was broadcast live by radio.
  2. Of making a performance or speech, in person.
    He'll be appearing live at the auditorium.

Origin

From Middle English lefe, lifen, libbe, libben, live, luvien, lyven, from Old English libban, lifian (“to live; be alive”), from Proto-West Germanic *libbjan, from Proto-Germanic *libjaną (“to live”), from Proto-Indo-European *leyp- (“to stick”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Related Words: alivesurvivesubsistendurelastdwelllivelyloadedcharged

Back to today's word