German word

munter

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈmʊntɐ/

Meaning

  • adjectivelively

Example

Ich sehe einen munteren Mann.

I see a lively man.

Illustration for munter (lively)

More examples

Seine Freunde haben ihn munter gemacht.

His friends cheered him up.

Core concept

A person whose alert energy keeps both movement and mood bright rather than quiet or sluggish.

Common phrases

  • munter bleiben

    stay lively

  • jemanden munter machen

    cheer ___ up

  • munter gestimmt

    in a cheerful mood

Similar words

fröhlich: Showing happiness and pleasure openly through expression or voice.
lebhaft: Energetic and animated in movement or response.
heiter: Calmly cheerful, with a light and pleasant mood.
aufgeweckt: Alert, quick to notice things, and quick to understand or respond.

Definition in German

lebhaft und fröhlich; voller Energie

Word origin

The modern adjective developed from Middle High German munter and preserves its older connection between wakefulness, vitality, and cheerfulness.

Usage tips

  • Munter can describe alert wakefulness as well as a cheerful manner, so it is not limited to the English sense of lively.

Other meanings

  • energeticadjective
  • cheerfuladjective

Opposites

  • müdetiredadjective
  • trübsinnigmelancholyadjective

Related words

  • Muntermacherpick-me-upnoun
  • Munterkeitlivelinessnoun

Word lists with this word