lucid
Americanadjective
-
easily understood; completely intelligible or comprehensible.
a lucid explanation.
- Synonyms:
- obvious, evident, understandable, plain
- Antonyms:
- obscure
-
characterized by clear perception or understanding; rational or sane.
a lucid moment in his madness.
- Synonyms:
- reasonable, sound
- Antonyms:
- irrational
-
shining or bright.
- Antonyms:
- dim
-
clear; pellucid; transparent.
- Synonyms:
- limpid
- Antonyms:
- obscure
adjective
-
readily understood; clear
-
shining or glowing
-
psychiatry of or relating to a period of normality between periods of insane or irresponsible behaviour
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of lucid
First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin lūcidus, equivalent to lūc- (stem of lūx light 1 ) + -idus -id 4
Explanation
Something that's lucid is clear and understandable. Lucid writing is important in journalism, so that readers easily get the point of the article they're reading. When what you write or say is lucid, it's straightforward and its meaning is crystal clear. You can also use the adjective lucid to describe your mind or thoughts when you're thinking in a rational, sensible way: "I was worried about my grandmother's confusion yesterday, but she seems really lucid today." Another meaning is "translucent," or "letting light shine through" — which makes sense since lucid comes from the Latin lucidus, "light or clear," with its root of lux, "light."
Vocabulary lists containing lucid
Let There Be Light: Lum and Luc
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"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 1–7
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Grade 10, List 4
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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.
Binoche plays Amanda with a surfeit of tenderness for her mother, who goes from being lucid to infantile without warning.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
No other view is so dramatic, or so lucid, for as soon as you see the image you grasp the essential logic of the house: a structure at one with nature.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
The plots of “Spirited Away,” “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Princess Mononoke” and “Kiki’s Delivery Service” are as lucid and pure as spring water, relatively speaking.
From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026
Even so, many of the most memorable moments come in the form of cogent micro-essays, smartly curated ensembles of work bearing a legible, lucid premise.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2026
Your sister substantiates this failing for as her letter progresses her judgment gives way to temper—her thoughts are good, lucid the products of intelligence, but it is not now an unbiased, impersonal intelligence.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
