vivid

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/ˈvɪvɪd/
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Strongly alive in the mind, the senses, or the impression it creates.
Practice using vivid in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Was the dream unusually vivid?
  • Nothing about the speaker felt dull or distant, only vivid and alive.
  • Her vivid description made the storm feel close.
  • I still have a vivid memory of my first day at school.
  • The actor gave a vivid performance that held everyone’s attention.

Similar words

animated
striking
intense
graphic
lively
lifelike
vibrant
striking
energetic
strong

Meanings

Clear and lifelike

adjective
mind
neutral
So clear, detailed, or powerful that a memory, description, dream, feeling, or imagined scene seems almost real.

Examples

  • I still have a vivid memory of my first day at school.
  • Her vivid description made the storm feel close.
  • Was the dream unusually vivid?
  • The pain became less vivid as the weeks passed.
  • He has such a vivid imagination that every shadow becomes a creature.

Similar words

graphic
lifelike
clear
detailed
striking
realistic

Bright and intense

adjective
color
neutral
Having a very strong, bright color or light that catches the eye.

Examples

  • She painted the door a vivid blue.
  • The bird has vivid orange feathers on its chest.
  • Against the gray sky, the rainbow looked especially vivid.
  • The old photograph is not vivid anymore.
  • Would a vivid red scarf be too bright for the outfit?

Similar words

bright
brilliant
intense
strong
rich
vibrant

Lively and striking

adjective
social
literary
Full of life, energy, or freshness in a way that makes a person, performance, or scene strongly noticeable.

Examples

  • Her vivid personality filled the quiet room with energy.
  • The actor gave a vivid performance that held everyone’s attention.
  • Even at ninety, he remained a vivid and curious presence.
  • The sketch captures the market as a vivid scene full of movement.
  • Nothing about the speaker felt dull or distant, only vivid and alive.

Similar words

lively
animated
energetic
spirited
striking
vibrant

Etymology

Recorded in English in the 1630s, from French vivide and Latin vividus, meaning lively or full of life, from vivus, alive.

FAQ

What does vivid mean?

Strongly alive in the mind, the senses, or the impression it creates.

How is vivid pronounced?

/ˈvɪvɪd/.

Can vivid describe both memories and colors?

So clear, detailed, or powerful that a memory, description, dream, feeling, or imagined scene seems almost real. Having a very strong, bright color or light that catches the eye.

What is a vivid imagination?

So clear, detailed, or powerful that a memory, description, dream, feeling, or imagined scene seems almost real.

What are opposites of vivid?

Depending on the sense, opposites include vague, dull, pale, and lifeless.

Where does vivid come from?

Recorded in English in the 1630s, from French vivide and Latin vividus, meaning lively or full of life, from vivus, alive.

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