vivid
Americanadjective
-
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.
adjective
-
(of a colour) very bright; having a very high saturation or purity; produced by a pure or almost pure colouring agent
-
brilliantly coloured
vivid plumage
-
conveying to the mind striking realism, freshness, or trueness to life; graphic
a 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 senses
a vivid feeling of shame
-
uttered, operating, or acting with vigour
vivid expostulations
-
full of life or vitality
a vivid personality
Related Words
See picturesque.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of vivid
First recorded in 1630–40; from Latin vīvidus “lively,” equivalent to vīv(ere) “to live” + -idus adjective suffix; see vital, -id 4
Explanation
Vivid is an adjective that describes a bold and bright color, an intense feeling, or an image in your mind that is so clear you can almost touch it. Sometimes you have a vivid dream that feels so real that even when you wake up, you can’t tell if the dream is really over. In that dream, perhaps there were flowers with deep, rich, and vivid colors that looked like they were painted. Vivid comes from the Latin vivere, which means “to live,” and vivid memories do seem to live on.
Vocabulary lists containing vivid
"Easter, 1916" by W.B. Yeats
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT Words Beginning with "V"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Achievement First 8th Grade IA 1 Words
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Across eight states, we scouted out vintage motels, new businesses, neon signs, friendly Muffler Men, road food, vivid characters and 20th century ruins.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
Finished with the vivid pea purée and crispy toppings, the whole thing tasted far more luxurious than its pantry origins would suggest.
From Salon • May 12, 2026
That has got to be one of the most vivid descriptions of a healthy relationship with money: You are nurturing the excess energy from all of the work you have done throughout the years.
From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026
Their vivid blue coloring is a result of the microscopic scales on the backs of their wings, which reflect light.
From BBC • May 8, 2026
All looked some form of female, and all had the same vivid, earth-rich, ever-growing look to them: rare and bold and wild.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
