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Synonyms

vivid

American  
[viv-id] / ˈvɪv ɪd /

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 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See picturesque.

Other Word Forms

  • overvivid adjective
  • overvividness noun
  • unvivid adjective
  • unvividness noun
  • vividity noun
  • vividly adverb
  • vividness noun

Etymology

Origin of vivid

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

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.

“True Color” is also a vivid account of the nearly Sisyphean task of compiling a dictionary for a living language.

From The Wall Street Journal

As “Palestine ’36” eventually sacrifices focus on the many characters it has, one wishes Jacir had had the luxury of a classic epic’s standard third hour to build that complexity into a vivid resistance narrative.

From Los Angeles Times

Ms. Peet’s vivid blue eyes remain a major asset in “Fantasy Life,” an unforced character study that wryly observes some mild turbulence in the day-to-day existence of a group of mixed-up New Yorkers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Dreams, especially those that are vivid and immersive, may actually make sleep feel deeper and more restorative rather than interrupting it.

From Science Daily

Mark Mendelson’s scenic design, more elaborate than most Rogue Machine offerings, doesn’t achieve the oblique effect of the original production but sets the stage in vivid detail.

From Los Angeles Times