live wire

noun

Synonyms of live wirenext
: an alert, active, or aggressive person
live-wire
ˈlīv-ˌwī(-ə)r How to pronounce live wire (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of live wire

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Examples of live wire in a Sentence

She's a real live wire. the babysitter will have her hands full with those two little live wires
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
My daughter has been a live wire since she was born. — Marah Eakin, Vulture, 7 May 2026 Trees and branches were taken out, and live wires went down. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026 And upon her return, Dana is a live wire. — Sam Reed, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2026 Place is a live wire 6 minutes before kickoff. — Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for live wire

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of live wire was in 1881

Rhymes for live wire

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Browse Nearby Words

live well
live wire
live with
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Cite this Entry

“Live wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/live%20wire. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

live wire

noun
: an alert, active, or forceful person
live-wire adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on live wire

Nglish: Translation of live wire for Spanish Speakers

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