- living; not dead
- Is your mother still alive?
- Doctors kept the baby alive for six weeks.
- She had to steal food just to stay alive.
- He was buried alive in the earthquake.
- The police are desperate to catch this man dead or alive.
- We don't know whether he's alive or dead.
Extra Examples- Five people were found alive in the wreckage.
- For four days he seemed barely alive.
- He considered himself lucky to escape alive.
- Poor child, she looks more dead than alive.
- The old rascal is still very much alive.
- They had little chance of returning alive.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- seem
- remain
- …
- very much
- barely
- only half
- …
- alive and kicking
- alive and well
- dead or alive
- …
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- alive (with something) full of emotion, excitement, activity, etc.
- Ed was alive with happiness.
- Her eyes were alive with interest.
Extra Examples- His eyes were suddenly alive with excitement.
- The hall was alive with the sound of voices.
- I feel really alive in the country!
- She realized that she had only been half alive for the last four years.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- seem
- …
- really
- truly
- very
- …
- with
- continuing to exist
- to keep a tradition alive
- Money from charities is keeping the theatre alive.
- The issue remains alive in the public consciousness.
Extra Examples- The old customs are still very much alive in this region.
- The art of debate is alive and well in our schools.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- remain
- keep something
- …
- very much
- alive and well
- alive with something full of living or moving things
- The pool was alive with goldfish.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- seem
- …
- really
- truly
- very
- …
- with
- alive to something aware of something; knowing something exists and is important
- to be alive to the dangers/facts/possibilities
- The government should be alive to the problems faced by industry.
Extra Examples- We're all alive to the dangers of an over-centralized state.
- They are alive to the fact that the opposing team has not lost a game this season.
- He is very much alive to new ideas.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- become
- remain
- …
- very much
- to
Word OriginOld English on līfe, literally ‘in life’.
Idioms
See alive in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee alive in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishalive and kicking
- very active, healthy or popular
- My mother is still alive and kicking.
alive and well
- (of a person) still living and not injured or harmed
- The missing student was found alive and well in Newcastle.
- (of an industry, area of activity, etc.) still popular or successful
- Singapore's literary scene is alive and well.
- Contrary to popular belief, the tourism industry is alive and well in this part of the world.
bring something alive
- to make something interesting
- The pictures bring the book alive.
- The teacher brought history alive with fascinating stories.
come alive
- (of a subject or an event) to become interesting and exciting synonym come to life
- The game came alive in the second half.
- New political issues suddenly came alive after the election.
- (of a place) to become busy and full of activity synonym come to life
- The city starts to come alive after dark.
- The fishing villages come alive in spring.
- (of a person) to show interest in something and become excited about it
- She came alive as she talked about her job.
eat somebody alive (informal)
- to criticize or punish somebody severely because you are extremely angry with them
- He’ll eat you alive if he ever finds out.
- to defeat somebody completely in an argument, a competition, etc.
- The defence lawyers are going to eat you alive tomorrow.
- [usually passive] (of insects, etc.) to bite somebody many times
- I was being eaten alive by mosquitoes.
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alive