vivid
[viv-id]
- 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.
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Origin of vivid
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
theatricalanimatedcolorfulstrikingbrilliantexpressivelucideloquentglowingrealisticbrightdramaticlivelyrichsharptellingmemorablelifelikemeaningfulactiveExamples from the Web for vivid
Contemporary Examples
Yet for a vivid decade or so, sleaze was, somewhat paradoxically, a force for literacy and empowerment.
Today, with the memories of Ingrid Bergman so vivid in his mind, it seems clear that he's been thinking about her a great deal.
By the end of his life, the memories of corporal punishment at the hands of his teachers were vivid.
For such songs, she pairs raunchy lyrics with vivid imagery.
This particular bit of airplane was vivid with the possibility that it was a significant clue.
Historical Examples
Weeks passed away, and with them the vivid memories of that time.
Life in LondonEdwin Hodder
At this revelation a vivid blush glowed on Gracie Dennis' cheek.
Ester Ried Yet SpeakingIsabella Alden
This is so broad, however, that it may not make a direct and vivid impression.
Understanding the ScripturesFrancis McConnell
The vivid beauty of her blush startled him, and she drew her hand quickly from his.
Quaint CourtshipsVarious
Simultaneously he received a vivid mental photograph of the locality.
The Black BagLouis Joseph Vance
vivid
- (of a colour) very bright; having a very high saturation or purity; produced by a pure or almost pure colouring agent
- brilliantly colouredvivid plumage
- conveying to the mind striking realism, freshness, or trueness to life; graphica 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 sensesa vivid feeling of shame
- uttered, operating, or acting with vigourvivid expostulations
- full of life or vitalitya vivid personality
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Word Origin
C17: from Latin vīvidus animated, from vīvere to live
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for vivid
adj.
1630s, from Latin vividus "spirited, animated, lively," from vivus "alive," from PIE *gwei- (see vital). Extension to colors is first recorded 1660s. Sense of "strong, distinct" (as of memories, etc.) is from 1680s; that of "very active or intense" (as of imagination, interest, etc.) is from 1853. Related: Vividly; vividness.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper