liven
/ˈlī-vən/ (ame, mw)
liven — verb
- livenpresent simple I / you / we / they
- livens3rd person singular
- livening-ing form
- livenedpast simple
1. To add energy, interest, or excitement to something — for example, putting decor
To add energy, interest, or excitement to something — for example, putting decorations in a room or introducing a fun activity into an event.
Nandini livened the dinner party with some Spanish music and colourful decorations.
transitive: liven + direct object
A fresh coat of paint can liven even the darkest hallway in the house.
The teacher tried to liven the maths lesson by using building blocks.
Orla hung bright curtains to liven the children's bedroom.
- enliven
more formal; identical meaning but less common in everyday speech
- brighten up
more informal; often used for places and atmospheres
文法句型
liven + direct object
用法筆記
The standalone verb 'liven' (without 'up') is less common than the phrasal verb 'liven up'. It is typically used in writing rather than casual speech.