lucid

[ loo-sid ]

adjective

1. easily understood; completely intelligible or comprehensible:

   a lucid explanation.

   Synonyms: obvious, evident, understandable, plain

   Antonyms: obscure

2. characterized by clear perception or understanding; rational or sane:

   a lucid moment in his madness.

   Synonyms: reasonable, sound

   Antonyms: irrational

3. shining or bright.

   Synonyms: luminous, radiant

   Antonyms: dim

4. clear; pellucid; transparent.

   Synonyms: limpid

   Antonyms: obscure

lucid

/ ˈluːsɪd /

adjective

1. readily understood; clear
2. shining or glowing
3. psychiatry of or relating to a period of normality between periods of insane or irresponsible behaviour

Derived Forms

• luˈcidity, noun
• ˈlucidly, adverb

Other Words From

• lu·cidi·ty lucid·ness noun
• lucid·ly adverb
• non·lucid adjective
• non·lucid·ly adverb
• non·lucid·ness noun
• un·lucid adjective
• un·lucid·ly adverb
• un·lucid·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lucid¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin lūcidus, equivalent to lūc- (stem of lūx light ¹ ) + -idus -id ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of lucid¹

C16: from Latin lūcidus full of light, from lūx light

Example Sentences

Tanton also had an early and lucid understanding that climate change would exacerbate the country’s immigration conundrum, and it ultimately framed his life’s work.

From Salon

Virtually unknown is that Tanton also had an early and lucid understanding that climate change would exacerbate the country’s immigration conundrum, and it ultimately framed his life’s work.

From Salon

Project 2025 presented an alarmingly lucid roadmap for his aims of authoritarianism.

From Slate

Only 40 minutes into the competition and now it is beginning to feel like a lucid dream.

From Salon

It is one of very few drugs that could have such a lucid effect, and it has been used in robberies in Ecuador, France and Vietnam, as well as murders and sexual assaults in Colombia.

From BBC

Related Words

• rational
• sane
• sober