livened; livening
ˈlī-və-niŋ 
ˈlīv-niŋ
: enliven
—often used with up
he … livened up the editorial page—
Current Biography
Current Biography
: to become lively
Examples of liven in a Sentence
He played some music to liven the atmosphere.
Recent Examples on the Web
Blooming Jelly Crochet-Lace Button-Down Shirt If your spring fever is in full swing, try this striking button-down with floral lace detailing to liven up your closet.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Best Dried Fruit: Mariani Berries ’n Cherries A premium mix of wild blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, and cherries livens up any recipe that calls for dried fruit.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2025
As usual for Bong, unexpected music choices liven things up, from quirky waltzes to carnivalesque riffs in a Danny Elfman mode.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
Many tired conventions and strategies of mid-2010s prestige drama are thoughtlessly deployed: parallel timelines, the trauma plot, the use of genre tropes to liven up a story that is really about the way viewers live now.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
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Clara McMahon, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Best Dried Fruit: Mariani Berries ’n Cherries A premium mix of wild blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, and cherries livens up any recipe that calls for dried fruit.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2025
As usual for Bong, unexpected music choices liven things up, from quirky waltzes to carnivalesque riffs in a Danny Elfman mode.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
Many tired conventions and strategies of mid-2010s prestige drama are thoughtlessly deployed: parallel timelines, the trauma plot, the use of genre tropes to liven up a story that is really about the way viewers live now.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for liven
Cite this Entry
“Liven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liven. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
liven
verb
liv·en
ˈlī-vən
livened; livening
ˈlīv-(ə-)niŋ
: to make or become lively
—often used with up
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