vivid

adjective

viv·​id ˈvi-vəd 

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

vividly adverb

vividness noun

Synonyms of vivid

• graphic
• descriptive
• picturesque
• specific
• expressive

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

It's also got a new Core Lighting Plus feature that adds vivid color to the screen, and the 1,000-nit peak-brightness display helps enhance contrast between the lightest and darkest tones. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026

This one has a handful of vivid characters who are lively and touching company. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

September transforms open fields, roadsides and mountain meadows into bold, vivid landscapes of brilliant yellows, purples, reds, whites and other hues. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Like her American contemporaries Saul Leiter and Joel Meyerowitz, Sinéty shot color photographs in a soft yet vivid palette. — Felix Bazalgette, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for vivid

• livid

Kids Definition

vivid

adjective

viv·​id ˈviv-əd 

1

: very strong or bright

a vivid red

2

: having the appearance of vigorous life

a vivid sketch of the children

3

: producing a strong or clear impression : sharp

especially : producing distinct mental pictures

a vivid description

4

: acting clearly and powerfully

a vivid imagination

vividly adverb

vividness noun