Crossword Genius

Oddly, auntie, together with friends, livens up (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

animates

'livens up' is the definition.
('animate' can be a synonym of 'liven up')

'oddly auntie together with friends' is the wordplay.
'oddly' indicates alternate letters (letters in the odd-numbered positions are used).
'together with' says to put letters next to each other.
'friends' becomes 'mates' (mate is a kind of friend).
The alternate letters of 'auntie' are 'ani'.
'ani'+'mates'='ANIMATES'

(Other definitions for animates that I've seen before include "Brings to life" , "Enlivens" , "Gives life or movement to, say cartoon" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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