French word

vif

Pronunciation

IPA/vif/

Meaning

  • adjectivelively

Example

Le chien est vif.

The dog is lively.

Illustration for vif (lively)

More examples

La conversation vive a animé la soirée.

The lively conversation livened up the evening.

Core concept

A bright burst of energy expressed in rapid action or keen awareness.

Common phrases

  • conversation vive

    lively conversation

  • réplique vive

    quick reply

Similar words

rapide: Moving or acting at high speed in a short time.
agile: Nimble, flexible, and quick to adjust movement.
alerte: Alert, keen, and quick to respond.
dynamique: Energetic and active, with strong momentum.

Definition in French

Qui agit ou réagit avec rapidité et vivacité.

Word origin

Vif is an inherited French descendant of Latin vivus, whose sense of being alive broadened to include liveliness and swiftness.

Usage tips

  • Before a vowel, vif remains vif, as in un vif intérêt, where it means keen or intense rather than physically fast.

Other meanings

  • quickadjective
  • vividadjective
  • sharpadjective

Opposites

  • apathiqueapatheticadjective
  • ternedulladjective

Related words

  • vivacitélivelinessnoun
  • vivantlivelyadjective

Word lists with this word