1(of a person, animal, or plant) living, not dead:hopes of finding anyone still alive were fading he was kept alive by a feeding tube continuing in existence or use:keeping hope alive fortunately the old recipes are very much alive
2alert and active; animated:Ken comes alive when he hears his music played having interest and meaning:we hope we will make history come alive for the children
3 (
alive to)
aware of and interested in; responsive to:she was always alive to new ideas
4 (
alive with)
swarming or teeming with:in spring those cliffs are alive with auks and gulls