vivid

[ viv-id ]

adjective

1. strikingly bright or intense, as color, light, etc.:

   a vivid green.

   Synonyms: intense, brilliant, bright

2. full of life; lively; animated:

   a vivid personality.

   Synonyms: intense, vivacious, spirited

3. presenting the appearance, freshness, spirit, etc., of life; realistic:

   a vivid account.

4. strong, distinct, or clearly perceptible:

   a vivid recollection.

5. forming distinct and striking mental images:

   a vivid imagination.

vivid

/ ˈvɪvɪd /

adjective

1. (of a colour) very bright; having a very high saturation or purity; produced by a pure or almost pure colouring agent
2. brilliantly coloured

   vivid plumage

3. conveying to the mind striking realism, freshness, or trueness to life; graphic

   a vivid account

4. (of a recollection, memory, etc) remaining distinct in the mind
5. (of the imagination, etc) prolific in the formation of lifelike images
6. making a powerful impact on the emotions or senses

   a vivid feeling of shame

7. uttered, operating, or acting with vigour

   vivid expostulations

8. full of life or vitality

   a vivid personality

Derived Forms

• ˈvividly, adverb
• ˈvividness, noun

Other Words From

• viv·id·ly adverb
• viv·id·ness vi·vid·i·ty [vi-, vid, -i-tee], noun
• o·ver·viv·id adjective
• o·ver·viv·id·ness noun
• un·viv·id adjective
• un·viv·id·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vivid¹

First recorded in 1630–40; from Latin vīvidus “lively,” equivalent to vīv(ere) “to live” + -idus adjective suffix; vital, -id ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of vivid¹

C17: from Latin vīvidus animated, from vīvere to live

Synonym Study

See picturesque.

Example Sentences

Our memories often evoke vivid images.

From Science Daily

Written and partially photographed by Amar Ayyash — host of the website anythinglarus.com and organizer of America’s largest gull-watching event, the annual Lake Michigan Gull Frolic — “The Gull Guide” is full of vivid and detailed photographs of the gulls themselves.

From Salon

The opening track, “Gemini,” is a vivid but fretful tale of modern malaise and a doppelgänger who gives Heynderickx refreshing perspective.

From New York Times

The night of the crash is still vivid in Natalie’s mind.

From BBC

And thanks to a terrific cast, led by sensational Ukrainian tenor Bogdan Volkov, and the vivid conducting of Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla’s sleekly modern production by Polish director Krzysztof Warlikowski, “The Idiot” turned out to be Salzburg’s hottest ticket.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• animated
• bright
• brilliant
• colorful
• dramatic
• eloquent
• expressive
• glowing
• lifelike
• lively
• lucid
• meaningful
• memorable
• realistic
• rich
• sharp
• striking
• telling
• theatrical