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alive

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adjective [never before noun] American English pronunciation: alive /əˈlaɪv/
  1. 1
    living and not dead

    My father died last year but my mother is still alive.

    He is lucky to be alive after his fall.

    stay alive:

    The family was stealing food just to stay alive.

    be buried/burned/captured etc. alive (=while still living):

    The dog was rescued alive after being trapped for 25 days without food.

    1. a.
      still existing and not gone or forgotten

      Memories of the controversy are still very much alive.

      keep something alive:

      Their aim was to keep alive the traditional Jewish faith.

  2. 2
    full of energy and feeling happy and excited

    With the wind rushing through her hair she felt intensely alive.

    come alive:

    I’ve seen people really coming alive again as a result of this treatment.

    1. a.
      full of activity
      alive with:

      The street was alive with the sound of children playing.

      come alive:

      The waterfront really comes alive at Christmas.

    2. b.
      interesting and exciting
      come alive:

      The game really came alive after the Vikings scored.

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