ˈlaɪvən ʌp
informal
intermediate
- Base verb:
- liven
- Particle:
- up
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "liven up" mean?
To make something more interesting or energetic
Examples
- Let us put on music to liven up the party.
- The room livened up when the comedian arrived.
- She added decorations to liven up the office.
- The crowd livened up after the band started.
How to use it
Used when something needs more energy.
Word order
Can be separated: 'liven the party up'.
Similar expressions
brighten up
energize
enliven
Opposites
dampen
bore
dull
Related phrasal verbs
- get up
To rise from bed after sleeping
- turn up
To increase the volume, heat, or intensity of something
- give up
To stop trying to do something, often because it is too difficult
- bring up
To mention or introduce a topic in conversation
- go up
To increase in price, level, or amount
- come up
To be mentioned or discussed
Use it in a practice answer
Try "liven up" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.