vivid

[viv-id]

adjective

1. strikingly bright or intense, as color, light, etc..

   a vivid green.

   Synonyms: intense, brilliant, bright

2. full of life; lively; animated.

   a vivid personality.

   Synonyms: intense, vivacious, spirited

3. presenting the appearance, freshness, spirit, etc., of life; realistic.

   a vivid account.

4. strong, distinct, or clearly perceptible.

   a vivid recollection.

5. forming distinct and striking mental images.

   a vivid imagination.

vivid

/ ˈvɪvɪd /

adjective

1. (of a colour) very bright; having a very high saturation or purity; produced by a pure or almost pure colouring agent

2. brilliantly coloured

   vivid plumage

3. conveying to the mind striking realism, freshness, or trueness to life; graphic

   a vivid account

4. (of a recollection, memory, etc) remaining distinct in the mind

5. (of the imagination, etc) prolific in the formation of lifelike images

6. making a powerful impact on the emotions or senses

   a vivid feeling of shame

7. uttered, operating, or acting with vigour

   vivid expostulations

8. full of life or vitality

   a vivid personality

Other Word Forms

• vividly adverb
• vividness noun
• vividity noun
• overvivid adjective
• overvividness noun
• unvivid adjective
• unvividness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vivid¹

First recorded in 1630–40; from Latin vīvidus “lively,” equivalent to vīv(ere) “to live” + -idus adjective suffix; vital, -id ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of vivid¹

C17: from Latin vīvidus animated, from vīvere to live

Synonym Study

See picturesque.

Example Sentences

"These are lobsters with a genetic mutation that causes an overproduction of crustacyanin, giving them a vivid, electric blue appearance."

From BBC

The defined religious and social world, rooted in a cultural specificity, was all the more universal for its vivid particularity.

From Los Angeles Times

That camaraderie has been most vivid in times of adversity.

From Los Angeles Times

"It is a vivid reminder of how global wind patterns can supercharge local monsoon dynamics, turning the monsoon into mayhem, rivers into raging torrents and the Himalayas into a graveyard," said Mr Deoras.

From BBC

I certainly remember those droids being so vivid and lovable and memorable,” he shared in a recent video interview.

From Salon

Related Words

• animated 
• bright 
• brilliant 
• colorful 
• dramatic 
• eloquent 
• expressive 
• glowing 
• lifelike 
• lively 
• lucid 
• meaningful 
• memorable 
• realistic 
• rich 
• sharp 
• striking 
• telling 
• theatrical