Live vs. Lives — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Published on February 6, 2024
"Live" refers to something happening now or being alive, while "Lives" is the plural of life or the third-person singular form of live.
Difference Between Live and Lives
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Live" can describe events occurring in real-time or denote the state of being alive, emphasizing immediacy and presence. "Lives," in contrast, refers to the plural form of life, representing multiple existences or biographies.
When discussing "live" broadcasts, the focus is on the direct, unedited nature of the content, capturing the essence of being "live" in the moment. "Lives," however, often encapsulates the various experiences, narratives, and durations of individuals or groups, highlighting the diversity and richness of multiple "lives."
The adjective "live" can also pertain to organisms that are alive, distinguishing between what is living and inanimate. Meanwhile, "lives" as a verb form relates to the act of residing or existing in a particular way, portraying the manner in which different entities lead their "lives."
The usage of "live" in technology, such as "live updates," conveys the immediacy and currentness of information, whereas "lives" in a narrative context might explore the depth and complexity of individuals' "lives" across various circumstances.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective (live broadcast) or verb (to live)
Plural noun (multiple lives) or verb (he/she lives)
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Context of Use
Describing real-time events or the state of being alive
Referring to multiple existences or the act of residing
Grammatical Number
Singular
Plural when a noun, singular third-person when a verb
Example Usage
"The concert is being broadcast live."
"She leads a fascinating life." (Lives when plural)
Associated Connotations
Immediacy, authenticity, vitality
Diversity, biography, the manner of living
Compare with Definitions
Live
Happening in real-time, as in broadcasts or performances.
The band's performance was broadcast live to fans worldwide.
Lives
In literature or storytelling, refers to the narratives or stories of individuals.
The novel intertwines the lives of its protagonists in a complex web.
Live
Full of life, energy, or activity.
The city center is always live with activity at night.
Lives
Plural form of life, referring to multiple existences or organisms.
The documentary explores the lives of people in the community.
Live
Used to describe power or electricity that is active.
Be careful not to touch the live wire.
Lives
Used to describe the manner in which people exist or conduct their lives.
They lead their lives with simplicity and joy.
Live
To be alive; exist.
Lives
Can imply the duration or course of one's life.
Their lives were forever changed by the event.
Live
To continue to be alive
Lived through a bad accident.
Lives
Can indicate the survival or continuation of life.
The quick response saved many lives during the disaster.
Live
To support oneself; subsist
Living on rice and fish.
Lives on a small inheritance.
Lives
Plural of life.
Live
To reside; dwell
Lives on a farm.
Lives
Infl of live
Live
To conduct one's life in a particular manner
Lived frugally.
Lives
Plural of life
Live
To pursue a positive, satisfying existence; enjoy life
Those who truly live.
Lives
Alive; living; with life.
Live
To remain in human memory
An event that lives on in our minds.
Live
To spend or pass (one's life).
Live
To go through; experience
Lived a nightmare.
Live
To practice in one's life
Live one's beliefs.
Live
Having life; alive
Live animals.
Live
Of, related to, or occurring during the life of one that is living
A live birth.
The live weight of an animal before being slaughtered.
Live
Of current interest or relevance
A live topic.
Still a live option.
Live
(Informal) Full of life, excitement, or activity; lively
A live crowd at the parade.
A live party.
Live
Glowing; burning
Live coals.
Live
Not yet exploded but capable of being fired
Live ammunition.
Live
(Electricity) Carrying an electric current or energized with electricity
Live cables lying dangerously on the ground.
Live
Not mined or quarried; in the natural state
Live ore.
Live
Broadcast while actually being performed; not taped, filmed, or recorded
A live television program.
Live
Involving performers or spectators who are physically present
Live entertainment.
A live audience.
Live
Of, relating to, or containing living bacteria or active viruses, sometimes in an attenuated form
Live yogurt cultures.
A live measles vaccine.
Live
(Printing) Not yet set into type
Live copy.
Live
(Sports) In play
A live ball.
Live
At, during, or from the time of actual occurrence or performance
The landing on the moon was telecast live.
Live
(intransitive) To be alive; to have life.
He's not expected to live for more than a few months.
Live
(intransitive) To have permanent residence somewhere, to inhabit, to reside.
I live at 2a Acacia Avenue.
He lives in LA, but he's staying here over the summer.
Live
(of an object) to have its proper place; to normally be stored.
I washed your gravy boat. Where does it live?
Live
(intransitive) To survive; to persevere; to continue.
Live
(intransitive) To endure in memory; to escape oblivion.
Her memory lives in that song.
Live
To cope.
You'll just have to live with it!
I can't live in a world without you.
Live
(intransitive) To pass life in a specified manner.
It is difficult to live in poverty.
And they lived happily ever after.
Live
(transitive) To spend, as one's life; to pass; to maintain; to continue in, constantly or habitually.
To live an idle or a useful life.
Live
(transitive) To act habitually in conformity with; to practice; to exemplify in one's way of life.
Live
To live as; to live being.
Live
(intransitive) To outlast danger; to float (said of a ship, boat, etc).
No ship could live in such a storm.
Live
To maintain or support one's existence; to provide for oneself; to feed; to subsist.
It is hard to live on the minimum wage.
They lived on stale bread.
Man shall not live by bread alone.
Live
To make the most of life; to experience a full, rich life.
I'm sick of spending every day studying at home: I want to go out there and live!
Live
(only used attributively) Having life; that is alive.
The post office will not ship live animals.
Live
Being in existence; actual.
He is a live example of the consequences of excessive drinking.
Live
Having active properties; being energized.
Because the vaccinia virus is live, it is important to follow care instructions for the vaccination site.
Live
Operational; in actual use rather than in testing etc.
Live
(programming) Of an object or value: that may potentially be used in the future execution of a program.
Live
Taken from a living animal.
Live feathers
Live
(engineering) Imparting power; having motion.
The live spindle of a lathe
A live, or driving, axle
Live
(sports) Still in active play.
A live ball
Live
(card games) Of a card: not yet dealt or played.
Live
(broadcasting) Being broadcast ("on the air"), as it happens.
The station presented a live news program every evening.
Are we live?
Live
(of a performance or speech) In person.
This nightclub has a live band on weekends.
Live
Recorded from a performance in front of an audience.
A live album
Live
Of firearms or explosives, capable of causing harm.
The air force practices dropping live bombs on the uninhabited island.
Live
Of an environment where sound is recorded: having noticeable reverberation.
Live
(circuitry) Electrically charged or energized, usually indicating that the item may cause electrocution if touched.
Use caution when working near live wires.
Live
(poker) Being a bet which can be raised by the bettor, usually in reference to a blind or straddle.
Tommy's blind was live, so he was given the option to raise.
Live
(film) Featuring humans; not animated, in the phrases “live actors” or “live action”.
Live
Being in a state of ignition; burning.
A live coal; live embers
Live
(obsolete) Vivid; bright.
Live
(slang)
Live
(dated) Energetic, attentive, active.
A live man, or orator
Live
Outstanding, top-notch, exhilarating.
Live
Of an event, as it happens; in real time; direct.
The concert was broadcast live by radio.
Live
Of making a performance or speech, in person.
He'll be appearing live at the auditorium.
Live
To be alive; to have life; to have, as an animal or a plant, the capacity of assimilating matter as food, and to be dependent on such assimilation for a continuance of existence; as, animals and plants that live to a great age are long in reaching maturity.
Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will . . . lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live.
Live
To pass one's time; to pass life or time in a certain manner, as to habits, conduct, or circumstances; as, to live in ease or affluence; to live happily or usefully.
O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that liveth at rest in his possessions!
Live
To make one's abiding place or home; to abide; to dwell; to reside; as, to live in a cottage by the sea.
Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years.
Live
To be or continue in existence; to exist; to remain; to be permanent; to last; - said of inanimate objects, ideas, etc.
Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtuesWe write in water.
Live
To enjoy or make the most of life; to be in a state of happiness; as, people want not just to exist, but to live.
What greater curse could envious fortune giveThan just to die when I began to live?
Live
To feed; to subsist; to be nourished or supported; - with on; as, horses live on grass and grain.
Live
To have a spiritual existence; to be quickened, nourished, and actuated by divine influence or faith.
The just shall live by faith.
Live
To be maintained in life; to acquire a livelihood; to subsist; - with on or by; as, to live on spoils.
Those who live by labor.
Live
To outlast danger; to float; - said of a ship, boat, etc.; as, no ship could live in such a storm.
A strong mast that lived upon the sea.
Live
To spend, as one's life; to pass; to maintain; to continue in, constantly or habitually; as, to live an idle or a useful life.
Live
To act habitually in conformity with; to practice.
To live the Gospel.
Live
Having life; alive; living; not dead.
If one man's ox hurt another's, that he die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it.
Live
Being in a state of ignition; burning; having active properties; as, a live coal; live embers.
Live
Full of earnestness; active; wide awake; glowing; as, a live man, or orator.
Live
Vivid; bright.
Live
Imparting power; having motion; as, the live spindle of a lathe; live steam.
Live
Connected to a voltage source; as, a live wire.
Live
Being transmitted instantaneously, as events occur, in contrast to recorded.
Live
Still in active play; - of a ball being used in a game; as, a live ball.
Live
Pertaining to an entertainment event which was performed (and possibly recorded) in front of an audience; contrasted to performances recorded in a studio without an audience.
Live
Life.
Live
Make one's home or live in;
She resides officially in Iceland
I live in a 200-year old house
These people inhabited all the islands that are now deserted
The plains are sparsely populated
Live
Lead a certain kind of life; live in a certain style;
We had to live frugally after the war
Live
Continue to live; endure or last;
We went without water and food for 3 days
These superstitions survive in the backwaters of America
The racecar driver lived through several very serious accidents
Live
Support oneself;
He could barely exist on such a low wage
Can you live on $2000 a month in New York City?
Many people in the world have to subsist on $1 a day
Live
Have life, be alive;
Our great leader is no more
My grandfather lived until the end of war
Live
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
Live
Pursue a positive and satisfying existence;
You must accept yourself and others if you really want to live
Live
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
Live
Showing characteristics of life; 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
Live
Highly reverberant;
A live concert hall
Live
Charged with an explosive;
Live ammunition
A live bomb
Live
Rebounds readily;
Clean bouncy hair
A lively tennis ball
As resiliant as seasoned hickory
Springy turf
Live
Abounding with life and energy;
The club members are a really live bunch
Live
In current use or ready for use;
Live copy is ready to be set in type or already set but not yet proofread
Live
Of current relevance;
A live issue
Still a live option
Live
Charged or energized with electricity;
A hot wire
A live wire
Live
Having life;
A live canary
Hit a live nerve
Famous living painters
Living tissue
Live
Capable of erupting;
A live volcano
The volcano is very much alive
Live
Not recorded;
The opera was broadcast live
Live
Involving direct, immediate participation or observation.
The debate will be held live in front of an audience.
Live
Being alive, not recorded or artificial.
Only live plants can bring this kind of energy to a room.
Common Curiosities
How do you use "lives" as a noun?
"Lives" as a noun is the plural of life, referring to multiple existences or biographies.
What does "live" mean in broadcasting?
"Live" refers to events broadcasted in real-time, without delays or prerecordings.
Can "live" be used as a verb?
Yes, "live" can be a verb meaning to reside in a place or to be alive.
When do you use "lives" as a verb?
"Lives" is the third-person singular form of live, used when referring to he, she, or it.
What is the difference between "live" and "recorded"?
"Live" means happening now or in real-time, while "recorded" refers to something that has been previously captured or stored.
Does "live" always mean something is happening now?
Mostly, yes, especially in the context of events or broadcasts. But it can also mean being alive.
Is "lives" always plural?
As a noun, yes, "lives" is always plural. As a verb, it's singular when referring to third-person.
How do you pronounce "live" in "live music"?
In "live music," "live" is pronounced with a short 'i' sound, like in "give."
What does "live wire" mean?
A "live wire" refers to an electrical wire with current flowing through it, making it dangerous to touch.
Can "lives" refer to the way people live?
Yes, "lives" can describe the manner or style in which people conduct their existence.
What does "live" mean in technology?
In technology, "live" often refers to real-time updates or functionality, such as live tracking.
Is there a difference in pronunciation between "live" (adjective) and "live" (verb)?
Yes, the adjective "live" (as in live show) has a short 'i' sound, whereas the verb "live" (to live) has a long 'i' sound.
How is "live" used in the context of music?
In music, "live" describes performances occurring in the presence of an audience, as opposed to recorded tracks.
What is the singular form of "lives"?
The singular form of "lives" is "life."
Can "lives" be used to talk about animals?
Yes, "lives" can refer to the existences of animals as well as humans.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
