Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - lively

 adjective  (livelier; -est)  Etymology: Middle English, from Old English liflic, from lif life  Date: before 12th century  1. obsolete living  2. briskly alert and energetic ; vigorous, animated a ~ discussion ~ children racing for home  3. active, intense takes a ~ interest in politics  4. brilliant, fresh a ~ wit  5. imparting spirit or vivacity ; stimulating many a peer of England brews livelier liquor than the Muse — A. E. Housman  6. quick to rebound ; resilient  7. responding readily to the helm a ~ boat  8. full of life, movement, or incident ~ streets at carnival time  • livelily adverb  • liveliness noun  • ~ adverb Synonyms:  ~, animated, vivacious, sprightly, gay mean keenly alive and spirited. ~ suggests briskness, alertness, or energy a ~ debate on the issues. animated applies to what is spirited and active an animated discussion of current events. vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring a vivacious party host. sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit a tuneful, sprightly musical. gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s.