How to pronounce lively
Say it like LYVE-lee. Lively has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LYVE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lively. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LYVE
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lively pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LYVESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of lively
American and British speakers say lively in essentially the same way: /ˈlaɪvli/ in the US and /ˈlaɪvli/ in the UK.
British respelling: LYVE-lee.
What does lively mean?
- full of life and energy“a lively discussion”“lively and attractive parents”
- full of zest or vigor“a racy literary style”
- quick and energetic“a brisk walk in the park”“a lively gait”
Where does lively come from?
From Middle English lyvely, lifly, from Old English līflīċ (“living, lively, long-lived, necessary to life, vital”), from Proto-West Germanic *lībalīk (“living, lively”), equivalent to life + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying lively
How do you pronounce lively?
Say LYVE-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈlaɪvli/. In British English it is /ˈlaɪvli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lively?
Lively has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LYVE). Broken into parts: LYVE · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say lively the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlaɪvli/ and the British form is /ˈlaɪvli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.