live

live¹ [lɪv]

verb

1》 remain alive.

    ↘be alive at a specified time.

    ↘spend one's life in a particular way.

    ↘supply oneself with the means of subsistence.

2》 make one's home in a place or with a person.

3》 be remembered: her name lived on.

Phrases

live and breathe something be devoted to a subject or activity.

live in the past have outdated ideas and attitudes.

live it up informal lead a life of extravagance and exciting social activity.

live rough live outdoors as a result of being homeless.

live with oneself be able to retain one's self-respect as a consequence of one's actions.

long live someone or something! said to express loyalty or support for someone or something.

where one lives N. Amer. informal at, to, or in the right or most vulnerable spot.

Phrasal verbs

live something down [usu. with negative] succeed in making others forget something embarrassing.

live for regard as the most important aspect of one's life.

live in (or out) (of an employee or student) reside at (or away from) the place where one works or studies.

live off (or on) depend on as a source of income or support.

↘have (an amount of money) with which to buy food and other necessities.

live something out

1》 do in reality that which one has imagined.

2》 spend the rest of one's life in a particular place or situation.

live through survive (an unpleasant situation).

live together (of a couple not married to each other) share a home and have a sexual relationship.

live up to fulfil.

live with

1》 share a home and have a sexual relationship with (someone to whom one is not married).

2》 accept or tolerate (something unpleasant).

Origin

OE libban, lifian, of Gmc origin; related to life and leave¹.

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live² [lʌɪv]

adjective

1》 not dead or inanimate; living.

    ↘(of yogurt) containing the living microorganisms by which it is formed.

2》 (of a musical performance) given in concert.

    ↘(of a broadcast) transmitted at the time of occurrence.

3》 (of a wire or device) connected to a source of electric current.

    ↘relating to or using explosive that is able to be detonated.

    ↘(of coals) burning.

    ↘(of a wheel or axle in machinery) moving or imparting motion.

4》 of current or continuing interest and importance.

adverb as or at an actual event or performance.

Phrases

go live Computing (of a system) become operational.

Origin

C16: shortening of alive.