lurid

[ loor-id ]

adjective

1. gruesome; horrible; revolting:

   the lurid details of an accident.

2. glaringly vivid or sensational; shocking:

   the lurid tales of pulp magazines.

3. terrible in intensity, fierce passion, or unrestraint:

   lurid crimes.

4. lighted or shining with an unnatural, fiery glow; wildly or garishly red:

   a lurid sunset.

5. wan, pallid, or ghastly in hue; livid.

   Synonyms: murky, pale, dismal

lurid

/ ˈlʊərɪd; ˈljʊərɪd /

adjective

1. vivid in shocking detail; sensational
2. horrible in savagery or violence
3. pallid in colour; wan
4. glowing with an unnatural glare

Derived Forms

• ˈluridness, noun
• ˈluridly, adverb

Other Words From

• lurid·ly adverb
• lurid·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lurid¹

First recorded in 1650–60, lurid is from the Latin word lūridus sallow, ghastly

Word History and Origins

Origin of lurid¹

C17: from Latin lūridus pale yellow; probably related to lūtum a yellow vegetable dye

Example Sentences

Abbasi is addressing “capitalism, truth and justice,” but he is emphasizing how lurid the American Dream is.

From Salon

That is, of course, until I walk outside, where I am reminded of my lifelong discomfort with the more lurid aspects of Halloween.

From Los Angeles Times

Davis stumbled on a text chain on Richardson’s phone showing him exchanging lurid texts with another woman, putting his by-the-by remarks about his uncontrollable tumescence into eye-opening context.

From Salon

She returned home to lurid media headlines such as “The Macabre Truth Behind Mukesh’s Suicide” and “The Black Widow”.

From BBC

Not long afterward, the good sister is turning on the priest by describing how Lois’ lurid crime scenes are displayed.

From Salon

Related Words

• exaggerated
• ghastly
• gory
• grim
• grisly
• horrifying
• macabre
• obscene
• racy
• revolting
• sensational
• startling
• violent
• vivid