Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1700-1800
Origin: life

liven

 verb
     
liv‧en

liven up

phrasal verb
1 to become more exciting, or to make an event become more exciting:
The party really livened up when Mattie arrived.
liven something ↔up
Why don't we invite Jane? That'll liven things up!
2

liven something ↔ up

to make something look, taste etc more interesting [= brighten up]:
Why not liven up the room with some flowers?
3 to become more interested or excited, or to make someone feel like this:
After a few drinks she livened up a little.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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