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vivacious

adjective
vi·​va·​cious | \ və-ˈvā-shəs also vī- How to pronounce vivacious (audio) \

Definition of vivacious

: lively in temper, conduct, or spirit : sprightly
Other Words from vivacious Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about vivacious

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Other Words from vivacious

vivaciously adverb
vivaciousness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for vivacious

lively, animated, vivacious, sprightly, gay mean keenly alive and spirited. lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy. a lively debate on the issues animated applies to what is spirited and active. an animated discussion of current events vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring. a vivacious party host sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit. a tuneful, sprightly musical gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits. the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

Did You Know?

It's no surprise that vivacious means "full of life," since it can be traced back to the Latin verb vivere, meaning "to live." The word was created around the mid-17th century using the Latin adjective vivax, meaning "long-lived, vigorous, high-spirited." Other descendants of "vivere" in English include "survive," "revive," and "victual" - all of which came to life during the 15th century - and "vivid" and "convivial," both of which surfaced around the same time as "vivacious." Somewhat surprisingly, the word live is not related; it comes to us from the Old English word libban.

Examples of vivacious in a Sentence

Historically, in nations where city economies are dying and where, as well, cities are drained in service to transactions of decline, one city remains vivacious longest: the capital city. — Jane Jacobs, Cities and the Wealth of Nations, (1984) 1985 You see, for years I have built my figure on the premise that "fat people are jolly." I have eaten my way through: pleasant, cheery, sunny, smiling, gay, spirited, chipper, vivacious, sparkling, happy, and sportive and was well on my way to becoming hysterical. — Erma Bombeck, The Best of Bombeck, (1965) 1967 She could follow every word that the ramblers uttered. They were talking no secrets. They were merely indulging in the ordinary vivacious chat of relatives who have long been parted in person though not in soul. — Thomas Hardy, The Return of the Native, 1878 an outgoing, vivacious girl who became a successful sales rep the poem is a vivacious expression of his love for her
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Will Byers, of Spring, is an active and vivacious 9-year-old who was diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome a few years ago. — Jane Stueckemann, Houston Chronicle, "The Woodlands Family YMCA prepares for sold-out triathlon this Saturday," 16 July 2019 She has been described as everything from vivacious and highly connected to the people-pleasing life of the party. — Fox News, "A look at Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's alleged 'recruiter'," 13 Aug. 2019 Aside from her world-renowned voice, she was known as a funny, vivacious woman who kept us all entertained. — Dominique Hobdy, Essence, "11 Whitney Houston T-Shirts You Can Rock To Celebrate Her Life," 9 Aug. 2019 Guests at the birthday party recalled both women as uncommonly beautiful and vivacious. — Diana Marcum, latimes.com, "Ridgecrest is isolated. But massive earthquakes show it’s not alone," 11 July 2019 Today, Victory is a vivacious 5-year-old with a toothy grin, blond hair and a quick mind. — Washington Post, "Lovingly, a family raises an intersex child - again," 10 June 2019 However, upon arrival, Emma is not only shocked to bump into her first love after all these years, but also his vivacious daughter. — Dan Snierson, EW.com, "Get a first look at six new Lifetime Christmas movies for 2019," 22 July 2019 Many Bratislavans fancy themselves the yang to Vienna's yin: If Vienna is a staid, elderly aristocrat sipping coffee, then Bratislava is a vivacious young professional jet-setting around Europe. — Rick Steves, USA TODAY, "Rick Steves: Slovakia’s capital is the fastest-changing city in Europe with remarkable comeback," 2 July 2019 The life of Elisabeth of Austria sounds like a romantic novel: A vivacious Bavarian princess captures the heart of the Austrian emperor. — National Geographic, "Life for this Bavarian princess was no fairy tale," 14 May 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vivacious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of vivacious

circa 1645, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for vivacious

Latin vivac-, vivax long-lived, vigorous, high-spirited, from vivere to live

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More Definitions for vivacious

vivacious

adjective
How to pronounce vivacious (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of vivacious

: happy and lively in a way that is attractive

See the full definition for vivacious in the English Language Learners Dictionary

vivacious

adjective
vi·​

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