vivid

adjective viv·id \ ˈvi-vəd \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Definition of vivid

1 of a color : very strong : very high in chroma

2 : having the appearance of vigorous life or freshness : lively

a vivid sketch

3 : producing a strong or clear impression on the senses : sharp, intense; specifically : producing distinct mental images

a vivid description

4 : acting clearly and vigorously

a vivid imagination

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vividly

adverb

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vividness

noun

See vivid defined for English-language learners

See vivid defined for kids

Examples of vivid in a Sentence

He gave a vivid description of the scene.
The book includes many vivid illustrations.
The dream was very vivid.
She could remember the dream in vivid detail.
The fabric was dyed a vivid red.

Recent Examples of vivid from the Web

Another 20 artworks have been captured in gigapixel resolution through Google’s Art Camera, which lets visitors zoom into Kahlo’s work to see her brushstrokes in vivid detail.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Explore Google’s Sweeping Retrospective on Frida Kahlo’s Life and Legacy," 26 May 2018
Though Denis treats scripts as provisional and merely suggestive documents, hers are full of vivid sensory detail.

— alice gregory, The New Yorker, "The Fearless Cinema of Claire Denis," 19 May 2018
When Disney resurrected its movie Newsies as a stage musical, the show won the 2012 Tony for best musical score and best choreography, both on vivid display in the dynamic revival now running at Media Theatre.

— hugh hunter, Philly.com, "'Newsies' at Media Theatre teems with energy," 14 May 2018
The women's accusations, with their vivid detail and consistency, would seem damning against any man.

— shayna freisleben, CBS News, "5 reasons Eric Schneiderman is being called a hypocrite," 8 May 2018
Swartz took the stand and gave vivid detail of events before and after the shooting.

— rafael carranza, azcentral, "Border Patrol agent Lonnie Swartz found not guilty in cross-border slaying of Mexican teen," 23 Apr. 2018
Sidestep the government officials milling about and climb the staircases on both sides of the mural to get a good look at the vivid details portraying Mexico’s journey from the Aztec era to present-day.

— megan spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, "3 Days in Mexico City," 16 Apr. 2018
When thousands of Democrats gather at Cobo Center in Detroit Sunday, the fissures in the party will be on vivid display.

— kathleen gray, Detroit Free Press, "Race for attorney general will dominate Democratic convention Sunday," 11 Apr. 2018
Cardi and Offset's relationship ups-and-downs have been well documented on her social media and in interviews, and the dramas play out in vivid detail on tracks like the deliciously threatening Be Careful and the painfully relatable Thru Your Phone.

— maeve mcdermott, USA TODAY, "Review: Cardi B is a star on debut album 'Invasion of Privacy'," 6 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vivid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of vivid

Latin vividus, from vivere to live — more at ¹quick

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1634

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

vivid Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of vivid

graphic, vivid, picturesque mean giving a clear visual impression in words. graphic stresses the evoking of a clear lifelike picture.

- a graphic account of combat

vivid suggests an impressing on the mind of the vigorous aliveness of something.

- a vivid re-creation of an exciting event

picturesque suggests the presentation of a striking or effective picture composed of features notable for their distinctness and charm.

- a picturesque account of his travels

Other Color Terms

argentine, cerise, cerulean, cyan, ocher, perse, puce, taupe, vermilion

VIVID Defined for English Language Learners

vivid

adjective

Definition of vivid for English Language Learners

of a picture, memory, etc. : seeming like real life because it is very clear, bright, or detailed
: very bright in color

VIVID Defined for Kids

vivid

adjective viv·id \ ˈvi-vəd \

Definition of vivid for Students

1 : producing strong mental images

a vivid description

2 : very strong or bright

vivid red

3 : acting clearly and powerfully

a vivid imagination

4 : seeming full of life and freshness

a vivid painting

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vividly

adverb

That scene of two years before flashed back into her recollection as vividly as if it had taken place yesterday.
—Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

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vividness

noun

Word Root of vivid

The Latin word vivere, meaning “to live,” gives us the root viv. Words from the Latin vivere have something to do with living. To survive is to remain alive. To revive is to bring back to life. Someone vivacious is full of life and is lively and energetic. Something, such as a story, that is vivid appears to be full of life and freshness.

Headscratcher for vivid

If you have studied Roman numerals, you might see something special about the word vivid. It is spelled with letters that are all Roman numerals. (V equals 5, I equals 1, and D equals 500.) Some other words spelled with letters that are Roman numerals are dill, mill, livid, civil, and civic.