What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sportive
Example
The children were being sportive, running around and playing tag. [sportive: adjective]
Example
He is very sportive and loves to play basketball with his friends. [sportive: adjective]
lively
Example
The party was lively, with people dancing and laughing all night. [lively: adjective]
Example
She is a lively person who always brings positive energy to the room. [lively: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lively is more commonly used than sportive in everyday language. Lively is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sportive is less common and is often used in specific contexts such as sports or games.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sportive and lively?
Both sportive and lively are informal words, but lively is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
