enliven
/ɪnˈlʌɪv(ə)n
/ /ɛnˈlʌɪv(ə)n/verb [with object]
1Make (something) more entertaining, interesting, or appealing: the wartime routine was enlivened by a series of concerts...
- And as a prolific writer armed with wit, his articles enlivened the pages of the magazines.
- Set in a Fife factory and drawn from personal experiences, the bleak subject is enlivened with humour and wit.
- Entertainment workers enlivened the rally with their acts.
Synonyms
brighten up, make more interesting, make more exciting, liven up, put some spirit into, add colour to, wake up, give a lift/boost to, ginger up;
improve, enhance, season, leaven, add spice to, spice up, revitalize, vitalize
informal perk up, jazz up, pep up, zhoosh (up)
1.1Make (someone) more cheerful or animated: the visit had clearly enlivened my mother...
- What enlivens us and mobilizes the will to live in each of us is profoundly unique.
- Their words, she says, not only enliven her but also help jog her memory about speeches she's given during the past 15 years.
- The music of Laurie Lewis will surprise you, enliven you, and cause you to reflect - just like bird songs themselves.
Synonyms
cheer up, brighten up, liven up, raise someone's spirits, uplift, gladden, ginger up, buoy up, make lively, waken/wake up;
hearten, stimulate, galvanize, fire, light a fire under, boost, rejuvenate, animate, give life to, vivify, vitalize, exhilarate, invigorate, restore, revive, rouse, refresh
informal perk up, buck up, pep up
Derivatives
enlivener
- Parsley, enlivener of mashed potatoes, has long been used to banish bloating.
- To be effective as an enlivener of others, a clergyman should have his own growth group for continuing professional renewal.
- An enlivener of many a house party, he overcame academic challenges, especially encounters with French, to earn his diploma in 1956.
enlivenment
- A sign of this enlivenment is the opening of new galleries, which will offer a refuge for both artists and admirers of their art.
- As its manager and director from 1960 to 1963, King staged plays by white and black playwrights, including Milner's, eventually exchanging the middle class for a neighborhood audience to the enlivenment of the productions.
Origin
Mid 17th century (in the sense 'restore to life, give life to'; formerly also as inliven): from 16th-century enlive, inlive (in the same sense), from en-1, in-2 (as an intensifier) + life.