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

• delineated
• graphic
• graphical
• pictorial
• picturesque
• visual

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

Very colorful objects look vivid and bright without appearing oversaturated or cartoonish, and shots with those objects against completely black backgrounds also show minimal light bloom. —PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024

Simply sweep on your favorite hue with your finger tips and blend at the crease for blurred, yet vivid color in seconds. —Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024

This piece is also an homage to the vivid hues of South Australia’s lovely state flower the Sturt Desert Pea. Be sure not to miss out on Chihuly Nights, which is an all-access pass to the entire Chihuly experience. —Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Fortunately for Pickford, however, much of her odyssey was witnessed by Edward Barlow, the chief mate on the Sampson (another ship in the same fleet), who kept a vivid journal. —Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024

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

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