alive

a|live [ ə`laıv ] adjective never before noun ***

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.

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. ) 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.

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.

b ) interesting and exciting:

come alive: The game really came alive after the Vikings scored.

alive and well/kicking

1. ) still living and healthy or active, especially when this is surprising:

He was found alive and well after three days.

2. ) still existing and not gone or forgotten, especially when this is surprising:

The idea of marriage is still alive and kicking.

be alive to something BRITISH

to know that something is happening and realize how important it is:

Schools must be alive to technological change.