lucidity

American

[loo-sid-i-tee] / luˈsɪd ɪ ti /

Sometimes lucidness

noun

the quality of being easily understood, completely intelligible, or comprehensible.

She makes her argument with pointed logic and exemplary lucidity.
the ability to see things clearly; rationality; sanity.

In a rare moment of lucidity, the senator sided with his political enemies for the good of the country.

Other Word Forms

nonlucidity noun

Etymology

Origin of lucidity

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin lūciditās, equivalent to lūcid(us) lucid ( def. ) + -i- ( def. ) + -tās -ty ² ( def. )

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.

"These were fascinating examples to witness because they showed how dreamers can follow instructions, and dreams can be influenced by sounds during sleep, even without lucidity."

From Science Daily • Feb. 15, 2026

I wrote that explaining terminal lucidity through an unknown brain capability “would be akin to finding a way that blood can circulate when the heart stops pumping.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

By expressing disapproval in concrete ways, helpful protests can likely sear ethical lucidity into each of us more effectively and more often.

From Salon • Jul. 5, 2025

As mother to Spike, Isla is clearly sick but still desperately trying to care for him, even while slipping in and out of lucidity - apparently ravaged with confusion from decades under siege.

From BBC • Jun. 18, 2025

Ever more startled at José Arcadio Buendía's lucidity, he asked him how it was possible that they had him tied to a tree.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023