lucid

adjective

lu·​cid ˈlü-səd How to pronounce lucid (audio)
1
a
: suffused with light : luminous
b
: translucent
snorkeling in the lucid sea
2
: having full use of one's faculties : sane
3
: clear to the understanding : intelligible
lucidly adverb
lucidness noun

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Shine a Light on the Origin of Lucid

Lucid comes from the Latin verb lucere, meaning "to shine," which is reflected in its meanings "filled with light" or "shining." It also describes someone whose mind is clear or something with a clear meaning.

Choose the Right Synonym for lucid

clear, perspicuous, lucid mean quickly and easily understood.

clear implies freedom from obscurity, ambiguity, or undue complexity.

clear instructions

perspicuous applies to a style that is simple and elegant as well as clear.

a perspicuous style

lucid suggests a clear logical coherence and evident order of arrangement.

a lucid explanation

Examples of lucid in a Sentence

The stroke also set off a major crisis of presidential succession, as the debilitated and not entirely lucid president continued to cling to office and plan feebly for re-election. Beverly Gage, New York Times Book Review, 13 Dec 2009
His lucid history of this grim subject is scrupulously accurate, so far as I am able to judge … Richard A. Posner, New Republic, 8 Apr 2002
"You would like me to read to you?" "You would oblige me greatly by doing so, Dorothea," said Mr. Casaubon, with a shade more meekness than usual in his polite manner. "I am wakeful: my mind is remarkably lucid." George Eliot, Middlemarch, 1872
The atmosphere, seen through a short space of half or three-quarters of a mile, was perfectly lucid, but at a greater distance all colours were blended into a most beautiful haze … Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the Beagle, 1839
He is able to recognize his wife in his lucid moments. those lucid bands that spread across the arctic sky and are known as the northern lights
Recent Examples on the Web Some faiths suggest that being lucid during one’s last days to be free to confess their sins and participate in important rituals and prayers is very important. Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 The video game adaptation is steeped in complex lore involving ghosts, robots, lucid dreaming, and child abduction, so there seems to be a lot left to explore in the FNAF world. EW.com, 30 Oct. 2023 Does your workplace find a thumbs-up lucid or aggressive? Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2024 The beams will activate the parts of the brain that control decision-making and awareness, initiating the lucid dream, the company says. Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 30 Nov. 2023 About 55% of adults have experienced at least one lucid dream in their life. USA TODAY, 11 July 2023 The potential of lucid dreaming is less about conquering specific problems and more about finding new, creative ways to approach topics that a sleeper couldn’t previously fathom. Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 30 Nov. 2023 The Baltimore Museum of Art, collaborating with the Saint Louis Art Museum, struck a thoughtful balance between celebration and lucid critique, prompting fresh ideas about the many richly teeming tendrils connecting hip-hop and contemporary art. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 5 Dec. 2023 Despite its indulgent mix of sensibilities, Godwin’s staging is lucid and fluid, mostly in service to the two lovers, but also mindful of the pitfalls of telling a story everybody already knows. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lucid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin lucidus, from lucēre — see lucent

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of lucid was in 1591

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Dictionary Entries Near lucid

Cite this Entry

“Lucid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lucid. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lucid

adjective
lu·​cid ˈlü-səd How to pronounce lucid (audio)
1
a
: bright with light : luminous
2
: having full use of one's reasoning ability : clear-minded
3
: clear to the understanding : plain
lucid writing
lucidity
lü-ˈsid-ət-ē
noun
lucidly
ˈlü-səd-lē
adverb
lucidness noun

Medical Definition

lucid

adjective
lu·​cid ˈlü-səd How to pronounce lucid (audio)
: having, showing, or characterized by an ability to think clearly and rationally
lucidity noun
plural lucidities

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