lived
lived — verb
- livedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- liveds3rd person singular
- liveding-ing form
- livededpast simple
1. to be alive — having life as a person, animal, or plant rather than being dead.
to be alive — having life as a person, animal, or plant rather than being dead.
Gabriel's grandmother lived to be ninety-eight and still gardened at ninety-five.
live to be + age
Polar bears can live for about thirty years if they find enough seals to eat.
Many soldiers who lived through the war rarely spoke about what they had seen.
The doctors said the kitten might not live much longer without proper care.
- die
the direct opposite of being alive
文法句型
live + (adverb of time)
live to be + age
live through + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently followed by a time phrase ('for ten years', 'to be old') or 'through' for difficult events. Cannot take a direct object — 'I live' is complete.
常見錯誤
2. to stay in a particular house, city, or country as your regular place of residen
to stay in a particular house, city, or country as your regular place of residence — the place where you sleep, eat, and keep your belongings.
Vikram lived in a small flat near the river before he moved to Taipei.
live in + [place]
Antonia lives with her parents while she finishes her nursing degree.
live with + [person]
The Watanabe family has lived in the same house in Kyoto for three generations.
More young people now live alone than they did twenty years ago.
- move
moving is the act of changing where you live
文法句型
live + in/at/near/with + [place/person]
用法筆記
Must be followed by a location phrase ('in Tokyo', 'near the school', 'with my brother') or an adverb of place ('here', 'there', 'abroad'). 'I live' alone is incomplete in this sense.
常見錯誤
3. to sit or stay in a fixed spot by habit — for objects that have a regular home w
to sit or stay in a fixed spot by habit — for objects that have a regular home where they belong.
All the spare keys live in a blue bowl on the shelf by the door.
Rin keeps her winter boots in a box that lives under the bed until December.
inanimate subject: object + live + place
Fresh herbs live best on a sunny windowsill rather than inside the fridge.
The old photographs live in a leather album that Constanza's mother passed down.
文法句型
[object] + live(s) + in/on/under + [place]
用法筆記
Subject is always a non-living object. This sense is informal and describes where an item usually belongs, not a temporary location. Distinguish from sense 2 (HAVE A HOME), where the subject is a person.
常見錯誤
4. to conduct your existence through a chosen style or set of habits — for instance
to conduct your existence through a chosen style or set of habits — for instance, staying quiet, seeking adventure, or following strong beliefs.
Maja lived a simple life in a small cottage with no electricity or running water.
live + [adjective] + life (cognate object)
Femi chose to live honestly even when telling the truth was the harder path.
The director lived each day as if it were the most important of her career.
Kian and his partner lived frugally for years to save for their children's education.
- lead a life
slightly more formal, very similar meaning
- pass one's life
formal; less common in everyday English
文法句型
live + [adjective] + life
live + adverb of manner
用法筆記
Can take a cognate object (a noun related to 'life': 'live a happy life', 'live a lie'). The object must be an abstract description of existence, not a concrete thing. When intransitive, an adverb of manner ('happily', 'honestly', 'frugally') is typical.
常見錯誤
❌ 'He lived happily ever after' sounds fairy-tale specific. For everyday use, try 'He lived a happy life with his family.'
5. to stay alive by earning or obtaining enough money, food, or other necessities t
to stay alive by earning or obtaining enough money, food, or other necessities to meet your basic needs.
Pim lives on just fifteen dollars a day while studying in a foreign country.
live on + [amount of money]
During the drought, the village lived on stored grain and water from the river.
Many retired people find it hard to live on their pension alone these days.
The refugees lived on little more than rice and beans for three long months.
- survive on
stronger emphasis on difficulty or bare minimum
- subsist on
formal; suggests a very minimal existence
- starve
to suffer or die from lack of food
文法句型
live on + [amount of money / type of food]
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'on' specifying the means ('live on a small salary', 'live on bread and water'). The emphasis is on sufficiency — what you just barely manage with, not how you choose to spend. Distinguish from sense 5 (SPEND LIFE), which describes quality of existence rather than bare survival.
常見錯誤
6. to have no permanent home and sleep outdoors or in temporary shelters because yo
to have no permanent home and sleep outdoors or in temporary shelters because you cannot afford housing.
After the factory closed, Otis lived on the streets for almost a year.
live on the streets
The charity provides hot meals for people who live rough in the city centre.
live rough (British)
Rachid lived in a homeless shelter while he saved enough money for a room.
No family should have to live in a car because housing costs are too high.
- sleep rough
British English — more specific to sleeping outdoors
- be unhoused
formal and person-first terminology
文法句型
live + on the streets / rough / in a shelter
用法筆記
Often followed by phrases like 'on the streets', 'rough' (British English), or 'in a shelter'. Unlike sense 2, this sense emphasises the lack of a proper home rather than describing a location. Handle with sensitivity — use person-first language in formal writing ('people who live on the streets' not 'the homeless').
常見錯誤
7. (of memories, feelings, traditions, and other immaterial ideas) to continue bein
(of memories, feelings, traditions, and other immaterial ideas) to continue being known, remembered, or felt by people after the original time or person has passed
Though Grandma passed away long ago, her kindness still lives in what our family does.
live in + abstract noun — pattern for remembered qualities
The candle-lighting tradition still lives in several mountain villages across the region.
Shakespeare's plays live on through school performances and modern film adaptations around the world.
The excitement of that game still lives in the hearts of everyone who watched.
Rohan's teaching influence lives on in the students he inspired over the years.
文法句型
live on
live in [memory/hearts/thoughts]
用法筆記
Subject is not a living thing — it is a memory, tradition, name, feeling, or idea. Frequently followed by 'on' (to suggest continuation over time) or 'in' (to locate where the thing survives).
常見錯誤
8. to experience life in an active, exciting, and satisfying way, filling it with i
to experience life in an active, exciting, and satisfying way, filling it with interesting events, adventures, or strong feelings
After retiring, Aunt Rosa decided she wanted to really live and travel the world.
The photographer told us she wants to live a life full of adventure and discovery.
live + [adjective] + life — pattern for describing lifestyle
Ezra has always lived with such energy and joy that everyone admires his spirit.
Indra has always lived life to the fullest, trying everything from skydiving to painting classes.
Instead of worrying about failure, Talia chooses to live boldly and take risks every day.
文法句型
live + [adjective] + life
live to the fullest
really live
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 5 (SPEND LIFE A CERTAIN WAY) — sense 5 describes the general pattern or manner of one's daily existence, while this sense emphasises actively seeking excitement, satisfaction, and intensity. Common in imperative and encouraging expressions such as 'live a little' and 'live life to the fullest.'
常見錯誤
9. to gain direct, personal knowledge of a situation, feeling, or event by being pr
to gain direct, personal knowledge of a situation, feeling, or event by being present when it happens or by going through it yourself
The journalist lived through the earthquake and wrote a moving account of the disaster.
live through + [difficult event]
You cannot truly understand poverty until you have lived it yourself.
Brian lived a nightmare when his house was destroyed by the flood last year.
Children lived the reality of war, hiding in basements as bombs fell.
Many soldiers who lived through battle find it hard to talk about their experiences afterward.
- undergo
suggests something difficult or unpleasant that you must bear
- go through
less formal, can be used for both positive and negative experiences
- endure
emphasises suffering or hardship over time
文法句型
live through + [difficult experience]
live + [nightmare/reality/dream]
用法筆記
The object is typically a difficult or intense experience (poverty, war, a nightmare, disaster, loss). Unlike the general verb 'experience,' 'live' in this sense adds a feeling of duration and deep personal impact. Cannot be used for watching, reading, or hearing about something secondhand.
常見錯誤
lived — adjective
- livedpositive
- livedercomparative
- livedestsuperlative
1. describes a creature or plant that is in a state of being alive, not dead — for
describes a creature or plant that is in a state of being alive, not dead — for example, live fish swimming in a tank, or a live tree with roots still in the ground.
The farmers kept live chickens in a small pen behind the house.
live + noun for animals kept alive
We bought a live Christmas tree with its roots still wrapped in soil.
The pet shop sells live insects for feeding pet lizards and frogs.
Scientists captured a live specimen of the rare butterfly for study.
The aquarium display contains live coral from the Great Barrier Reef.
- dead
no longer alive
文法句型
live + noun (animal, plant, organism)
用法筆記
Commonly used before nouns that refer to animals, fish, birds, and plants that are sold, transported, or studied while alive. The opposite is 'dead'.
常見錯誤
2. happening or performed at the exact moment it is watched or heard, without being
happening or performed at the exact moment it is watched or heard, without being recorded earlier — for example, a live sports event on television, or a live concert in front of an audience.
Millions of fans watched the World Cup final live on television.
watch + event + live (adverb-like use after verb)
The TV station filmed a live debate between the two candidates.
live debate (before noun)
Sora attended a live recording of his favourite comedy show in Tokyo.
The news report came live from the scene of the earthquake.
The band sounds much better in live performances than on their albums.
- in real time
emphasises that there is no delay; often used for online streaming
- in person
for performances where the audience is physically present
- recorded
captured earlier and played back later
- pre-recorded
same as recorded, but more specific to broadcasts
文法句型
live + noun (broadcast, show, performance)
noun + live (broadcast live, perform live)
用法筆記
Can be used before a noun ('a live show') or as an adverb after a verb ('broadcast live'). When used as an adverb, the spelling does not change.
常見錯誤
3. carrying or connected to a supply of electricity, so that touching it could caus
carrying or connected to a supply of electricity, so that touching it could cause a dangerous shock — for example, a live wire inside a wall, or a live electrical socket.
Never touch a live wire with wet hands, warned the electrician.
live wire (common compound noun)
The warning sign said that the cable on the ground was still live.
Ryan accidentally touched a live connection and felt a small shock.
The repair man checked whether the old wiring was still live before starting.
A live electrical circuit can cause serious injury if handled carelessly.
- dead
not carrying electric current; safe to touch
文法句型
live + noun (wire, cable, circuit)
用法筆記
Almost always used with nouns that refer to parts of an electrical system: wire, cable, circuit, socket, connection. Never used to describe a person touching electricity — that would be 'electrocuted' or 'shocked'.
常見錯誤
4. containing material that can explode; not yet fired or detonated — for example,
containing material that can explode; not yet fired or detonated — for example, a live bullet or a live grenade that has not been used.
The soldiers received training on how to handle live ammunition.
live ammunition (standard military term)
Police found a live grenade inside the abandoned warehouse.
The firing range only permits the use of live rounds during drills.
The bomb disposal team carefully removed the live explosive from the site.
Hunters must carry a special permit to use live shotgun shells.
- unexploded
focuses on the state of not having been detonated yet
- real
informal; contrasts with 'fake' or 'blank' rounds
文法句型
live + noun (ammunition, round, grenade, bomb)
用法筆記
Opposite of 'blank' (a cartridge without a bullet) or 'inert' (a training device without explosives). Distinguished from sense 3 by domain — this sense refers to explosive material, not electricity.
常見錯誤
5. still burning or giving off heat; not yet gone out — for example, live coals in
still burning or giving off heat; not yet gone out — for example, live coals in a barbecue grill, or live embers glowing in a fireplace.
The campers blew on the live coals to restart the campfire.
live coals (common collocation)
After the party we made sure no live embers were left in the fireplace.
The chef prefers cooking steaks over a live flame for better flavour.
The survivors huddled around the live fire to keep warm through the night.
Evelyn used a live match to light the candles on the birthday cake.
文法句型
live + noun (coals, embers, flame)
用法筆記
Used specifically for fire-related nouns (coals, embers, flame, match) that are actually burning, as opposed to cold or spent. The opposite is 'cold', 'dead', or 'spent' for matches and coals.
6. full of energy, brightness, or excitement; giving a strong, active impression —
full of energy, brightness, or excitement; giving a strong, active impression — for example, a live personality that makes people smile, or live colours that stand out in a painting.
The teacher had a live personality that kept her students engaged all day.
live personality (energetic character)
The artist used live colours that made the sunset painting feel almost real.
The political debate became a live exchange of strong opinions and sharp questions.
Anjali's eyes were live with excitement when she talked about her trip to Jaipur.
The children's live energy filled the school hall with noise and laughter.
文法句型
live + noun (colour, discussion, performance, personality)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: sense 6 describes the quality of energy or vividness in a person, colour, or atmosphere, not the fact that something is happening in real time. A 'live discussion' (sense 6) is an animated conversation; a 'live discussion' (sense 2) is one being broadcast as it happens.
常見錯誤
7. describing a subject, problem, or question that people are still talking about a
describing a subject, problem, or question that people are still talking about and that has not yet been settled or forgotten.
The future of the old market is still a live issue for the town council.
collocation: live issue — topic still debated
After the election, the question of tax reform became a live topic once again.
For many parents, school safety is a live concern that never goes away.
The debate about data privacy is a live issue in the technology industry right now.
文法句型
live + noun (issue, question, topic)
常見錯誤
8. of a machine, piece of equipment, or system — currently running, connected to a
of a machine, piece of equipment, or system — currently running, connected to a power source, or ready to be used without needing to be turned on first.
The sound engineer checked that every microphone on the stage was live before the show began.
usually before noun: live microphone
Putri warned everyone to stay away from the live engine while she worked on the car.
When the power returned, all the office computers came back live within a few seconds.
The new website went live at midnight, and the first orders arrived before dawn.
Cyrus pointed a live camera at the stage so fans at home could watch the concert.
- active
similar meaning; common for accounts, subscriptions, or software
- powered
emphasises connection to an electricity source
- operational
more formal; often used for systems or services
文法句型
live + noun (microphone, engine, system, connection)
用法筆記
Commonly used with the verbs 'go' and 'come' to describe something starting operation: 'the system went live', 'the connection came live'.
常見錯誤
lived — adverb
1. in a way that is watched or listened to at the same time it happens, rather than
in a way that is watched or listened to at the same time it happens, rather than being recorded first — used after verbs describing broadcasting, performing, or streaming
Nora watched the awards ceremony live on television from her hotel room.
The concert was broadcast live on radio stations across Japan.
broadcast live — passive construction for TV/radio events
David will perform live at the Blue Note club in Chicago tonight.
Adaeze heard the emergency alert live on her car radio during rush hour.
The final match is being streamed live on the official sports website.
- in real time
more formal; used especially for technology and data contexts
- as it happens
informal; often used in journalism and everyday speech
- on the air
specific to radio and television broadcasting
- prerecorded
recorded before the time of broadcast or viewing
- on tape
informal; stored on a recording medium rather than happening in real time
文法句型
verb + live (pronounced /laɪv/)
用法筆記
Postpositive adverb — always comes after the verb it modifies (e.g. broadcast live, stream live, go out live, perform live). Pronounced /laɪv/ to distinguish from the verb live /lɪv/.