LIVELY, ANIMATED, VIVACIOUS, SPRIGHTLY, GAY mean keenly alive and spirited.

LIVELY suggests briskness, alertness, or energy.

e.g. a lively debate on the issues

ANIMATED applies to what is spirited and active.

e.g. an animated discussion of current events

VIVACIOUS suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.

e.g. a vivacious party host

SPRIGHTLY suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.

e.g. a tuneful, sprightly musical

GAY stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.

e.g. the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

(especially of a woman) attractively lively and animated:

〈人･性格が〉快活な, 陽気な (!特に女性について用いる) ; 〈行為が〉活発な

e.g. her vivacious and elegant mother

e.g. she was dark-haired and vivacious.

vivaciously |vəˈvāSHəslē| adverb

vivaciousness |vəˈvāSHəsnəs| noun

mid 17th century: from Latin vivax, vivac- ‘lively, vigorous’ (from vivere ‘to live’) + -ious.