livid

American  

[liv-id] / ˈlɪv ɪd /

adjective

1. having a discolored, bluish appearance caused by a bruise, congestion of blood vessels, strangulation, etc., as the face, flesh, hands, or nails.

2. dull blue; dark, grayish-blue.

3. enraged; furiously angry.

   Willful stupidity makes me absolutely livid.

4. feeling or appearing strangulated because of strong emotion.

5. reddish or flushed.

6. deathly pale; pallid; ashen.

   Fear turned his cheeks livid for a moment.

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livid British  

/ ˈlɪvɪd /

adjective

1. (of the skin) discoloured, as from a bruise or contusion

2. of a greyish tinge or colour

   livid pink

3. informal angry or furious

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Other Word Forms

• lividity noun
• lividly adverb
• lividness noun

Etymology

Origin of livid

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin līvidus “black and blue,” equivalent to līv(ēre) “to be livid” (akin to Welsh lliw “color”) + -idus adjective suffix; -id ⁴

Example Sentences

“What didn’t she say? She was livid. But that’s only part of the reason I was surprised to see you today.”

From Literature

Others are livid, arguing it is absurd and counterproductive to spike the prospects of someone they see as one of the party's brightest lights.

From BBC

"I didn't start it," retorted a livid Rachel.

From BBC

At the series launch last month, Winkleman told journalists the other traitors were "livid" when they found out about their anonymous companion.

From BBC

Rachael, who lives in Manchester, said her father's last World Cup trip left her mother "livid" as he missed her first birthday party.

From BBC

Related Words

• enraged
• furious
• incensed
• indignant
• mad
• outraged