Basic Details
Word: Vivacious
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Lively, cheerful and full of energy; it is usually used about people.
Synonyms: lively, bubbly, spirited, sparkling
Antonyms: dull, listless, lifeless
How to Spell Vivacious
Syllables: vi - va - cious
Tricky part: The end is -cious, as in delicious. Students write vivacous, dropping the i, or vivatious with a t.
Watch out for: vivacous, vivatious, vivacios
Memory tip: The word opens with viva, a cheer meaning 'long live', and ends with the -cious of delicious. A vivacious person cheers everyone up.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Our vivacious class monitor can get even the shyest student talking.
Example 2: Aunt Leela is vivacious and laughs louder than anyone at family weddings.
Example 3: The vivacious host kept the quiz show moving at a fast pace.
Fun Fact
Vivacious comes from the Latin vivax, meaning long-lived or lively, from vivere, to live. The same root gives vivid and survive.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word vivacious as used in the sentence:
The vivacious girl at the reception desk greeted every guest with a joke and a wide grin.
a) lively
b) rude
c) gloomy
d) tired
Show answer
a) lively. Jokes and grins for every guest show a lively, cheerful person.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
Everyone at the party remembered the vivacous dancer who taught all the guests a new step.
a) party
b) remembered
c) guests
d) vivacous
Show answer
d) vivacous. The ending matches spacious and gracious: c, then i, then ous.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. vivacious 2. gregareous 3. melancoly 4. timmid
a) lively and full of cheerful energy
b) shy and easily frightened
c) a deep, lasting sadness
d) liking to be with other people
Show answer
a) lively and full of cheerful energy. Gregarious ends in -ious, melancholy keeps the h after the c, and timid has a single m.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A vivacious speaker would most likely ____.
a) keep the audience smiling and alert
b) forget to turn up on the day
c) speak only in a soft whisper
d) read slowly from notes in a flat voice
Show answer
a) keep the audience smiling and alert
2. Vivacious is most often used to describe ____.
a) machines
b) rivers
c) buildings
d) people
Show answer
d) people
