/lɪv/
Live has 23 different meanings across 3 categories:
life
"The documentary captures the vibrant rhythms of street life in Tokyo."
"The community center was built to serve the needs of the local live."
Usage: The noun form of live refers to life itself or the state of being alive, often used in phrases like "for all we know" or "the living." Do not confuse it with the verb meaning to reside or the adjective describing fresh food or broadcasts.
continue to live and avoid dying
"We went without water and food for 3 days"
"These superstitions survive in the backwaters of America"
"The race car driver lived through several very serious accidents"
"how long can a person last without food and water?"
"One crash victim died, the other lived"
have firsthand knowledge of states, situations, emotions, or sensations
"I know the feeling!"
"have you ever known hunger?"
"I have lived a kind of hell when I was a drug addict"
"The holocaust survivors have lived a nightmare"
"I lived through two divorces"
pursue a positive and satisfying existence
"You must accept yourself and others if you really want to live"
To be alive; to have life.
"The doctor said there was a chance the baby could still live even though her heart had stopped beating for a moment."
In plain English: To live means to exist or be alive as an action of staying in existence.
Usage: Use "live" to describe the state of being alive or existing, distinct from dying. This applies to all living organisms, from humans and animals to plants and microorganisms.
actually being performed at the time of hearing or viewing
"a live television program"
"brought to you live from Lincoln Center"
"live entertainment involves performers actually in the physical presence of a live audience"
exerting force or containing energy
"live coals"
"tossed a live cigarette out the window"
"got a shock from a live wire"
"live ore is unmined ore"
"a live bomb"
"a live ball is one in play"
in current use or ready for use
"live copy is ready to be set in type or already set but not yet proofread"
Having life; that is alive.
"The doctor checked to make sure the baby was live and breathing after being born."
In plain English: Live means being awake and active right now instead of being recorded or dead.
"The live broadcast was watched by millions of viewers around the world."
Usage: Use "live" only when describing something currently existing or functioning, such as a live wire or a live performance. Do not use it to describe people who are biologically alive, as the adjective form implies vitality rather than mere existence.
Of an event, as it happens; in real time; direct.
"We managed to catch the surprise party on live TV while it was still happening right now."
In plain English: To do something live means to perform it in real time without any recording or delay.
"We live in an apartment near the park."
Usage: Use "live" to describe events happening in real time or being broadcast directly as they occur, such as a live concert or a live news report. Do not use it for recorded content that has already taken place.
The word "live" comes from the Old English verb libban, which originally meant "to be alive." It traveled into Middle English and eventually modern English while retaining this core meaning of existence.