vivid
Americanadjective
-
strikingly bright or intense, as color, light, etc..
a vivid green.
-
full of life; lively; animated.
a vivid personality.
-
presenting the appearance, freshness, spirit, etc., of life; realistic.
a vivid account.
-
strong, distinct, or clearly perceptible.
a vivid recollection.
-
forming distinct and striking mental images.
a vivid imagination.
adjective
-
(of a colour) very bright; having a very high saturation or purity; produced by a pure or almost pure colouring agent
-
brilliantly coloured
vivid plumage
-
conveying to the mind striking realism, freshness, or trueness to life; graphic
a vivid account
-
(of a recollection, memory, etc) remaining distinct in the mind
-
(of the imagination, etc) prolific in the formation of lifelike images
-
making a powerful impact on the emotions or senses
a vivid feeling of shame
-
uttered, operating, or acting with vigour
vivid expostulations
-
full of life or vitality
a vivid personality
Synonym Usage
See picturesque.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of vivid
First recorded in 1630–40; from Latin vīvidus “lively,” equivalent to vīv(ere) “to live” + -idus adjective suffix; see vital, -id 4
Explanation
Vivid is an adjective that describes a bold and bright color, an intense feeling, or an image in your mind that is so clear you can almost touch it. Sometimes you have a vivid dream that feels so real that even when you wake up, you can’t tell if the dream is really over. In that dream, perhaps there were flowers with deep, rich, and vivid colors that looked like they were painted. Vivid comes from the Latin vivere, which means “to live,” and vivid memories do seem to live on.
Vocabulary lists containing vivid
"Easter, 1916" by W.B. Yeats
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT Words Beginning with "V"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Achievement First 8th Grade IA 1 Words
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But this time, his dream came to vivid life.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026
Teddy Thompson’s voice is a golden, vivid instrument capable of conjuring joy and caverns of heartache.
From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026
What makes “Recession” so vivid, and so unsettling, is that Mr. Goodspeed rarely finds recessions caused by a single one of these shocks, but by a series of adverse happenings over a short period.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
If there is a trial, you’ll want to make a vivid impression on lawyers, judges and compliance officers.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026
It was, at first sight, a horned horse: larger than a cart horse, but thinner, gaunt: its ribs were visible, and its skull was vivid beneath its skin.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
