live¹ / liv/ • v. 1. [intr.] remain alive: the doctors said she had only six months to live both cats lived to a ripe age. ∎  be alive at a specified time: he lived four centuries ago. ∎  spend one's life in a particular way or under particular circumstances: people are living in fear in the wake of the shootings. ∎  [tr.] lead (one's life) in a particular way: he was living a life of luxury in Australia. ∎  supply oneself with the means of subsistence: they live by hunting and fishing. ∎  survive in someone's mind; be remembered: only the name lived on. ∎  have an exciting or fulfilling life: he couldn't wait to get out of school and really start living.2. [intr.] make one's home in a particular place or with a particular person: I've lived in New England all my life they lived with his grandparents.PHRASES: as I live and breathe used, esp. in spoken English, to express one's surprise at coming across someone or something: good Lord, Jack Stone, as I live and breathe!be living on borrowed timesee borrow.live and breathe something be extremely interested in or enthusiastic about a particular subject or activity and so devote a great deal of one's time to it: they live and breathe Italy and all things Italian.live by one's witssee wit¹ .live dangerously do something risky, esp. on a habitual basis.live for the momentsee moment.live in hope be or remain optimistic about something.live in the past have old-fashioned or outdated ideas and attitudes. ∎  dwell on or reminisce at length about past events.live in sinsee sin¹ .live it up inf. spend one's time in an extremely enjoyable way, typically by spending a great deal of money or engaging in an exciting social life.live off (or on) the fat of the landsee fat.live off the landsee land.live out of a suitcase live or stay somewhere on a temporary basis and with only a limited selection of one's belongings, typically because one's occupation requires a great deal of traveling.live one's own life follow one's own plans and principles independent of others.live rough live and sleep outdoors as a consequence of having no proper home.live to fight another day survive a particular experience or ordeal.live to regret something come to wish that one had not done something: those who put work before their family life often live to regret it.live to tell the tale survive a dangerous experience and be able to tell others about it.live with oneself be able to retain one's self-respect as a consequence of one's actions: taking money from children—how can you live with yourself?long live ——! said to express loyalty or support for a specified person or thing: long live the Queen!where one lives inf. at, to, or in the right, vital, or most vulnerable spot: it gets me where I live.you haven't lived used, esp. in spoken English, as a way of enthusiastically recommending something to someone who has not experienced it: you haven't lived until you've tasted their lobster ravioli.you (or we) live and learn used, esp. in spoken English, to acknowledge that a fact is new to one.PHRASAL VERBS: live something down succeed in making others forget something embarrassing that has happened.live for regard as the purpose or most important aspect of one's life: Tony lived for his painting.live in (of an employee or student) reside at the place where one works or studies.live off (or on) depend on (someone or something) as a source of income or support: if you think you're going to live off me for the rest of your life, you're mistaken. ∎  have (a particular amount of money) with which to buy food and other necessities. ∎  subsist on (a particular type of food). ∎  (of a person) eat, or seem to eat, only (a particular type of food): she used to live on bacon and tomato sandwiches.live out (of an employee or student) reside away from the place where one works or studies.live something out1. do in reality that which one has thought or dreamed about: your wedding day is the one time that you can live out your most romantic fantasies.2. spend the rest of one's life in a particular place or particular circumstances: he lived out his days as a happy family man.live through survive (an unpleasant experience or period): both men lived through the Depression.live together (esp. of a couple not married to each other) share a home and have a sexual relationship.live up to fulfill (expectations). ∎  fulfill (an undertaking): the president lived up to his promise to set America swiftly on a new path.live with1. share a home and have a sexual relationship with (someone to whom one is not married).2. accept or tolerate (something unpleasant): our marriage was a failure—you have to learn to live with that fact.live² / līv/ • adj. 1. not dead or inanimate; living: live animals the number of live births and deaths. ∎  (of a vaccine) containing viruses or bacteria that are living but of a mild or attenuated strain. ∎  (of yogurt) containing the living microorganisms by which it is formed.2. (of a musical performance) given in concert, not on a recording: there is traditional live music played most nights. ∎  (of a broadcast) transmitted at the time of occurrence, not from a recording: live coverage of the match. ∎  (of a musical recording) made during a concert, not in a studio: a live album.3. (of a wire or device) connected to a source of electric current. ∎  of, containing, or using undetonated explosive: live ammunition. ∎  (of coals) burning; glowing. ∎  (of a match) unused. ∎  (of a wheel or axle in machinery) moving or imparting motion. ∎  (of a ball in a game) in play, esp. in contrast to being foul or out of bounds.4. (of a question or subject) of current or continuing interest and importance: the future organization of Europe has become a live issue.• adv. as or at an actual event or performance: the match will be televised live.PHRASES: go live Comput. (of a system) become operational.