What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
liven
Example
Let's liven up this party with some music! [liven: verb]
Example
The comedian's jokes really livened up the audience. [livened: past tense]
enliven
Example
The colorful decorations enlivened the room. [enlivened: past tense]
Example
The new teacher's approach enlivened the classroom. [enliven: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Liven is more commonly used than enliven in everyday language. Liven is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while enliven is less common and is more often used in formal writing or speech.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between liven and enliven?
Enliven is generally considered more formal than liven. While liven is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, enliven is more often used in formal writing or speech.
