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

Among those drawn to the place is Neftalí, who arrives in the company of a Bengal tiger—a vivid symbol of the untamability of the region, in both the novel and the world. —David L. Ulin, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2025

Losing the reserves The constant risk of wildfires was brought into vivid relief last month when multiple blazes around Los Angeles killed dozens, destroyed thousands of structures and caused billions of dollars in economic damage. —Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025

Previous studies have suggested that REM sleep — the stage associated with vivid dreaming — plays a key role in reducing the brain's emotional reactivity the following day by engaging the prefrontal cortex. —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2025

Use vivid language to make your messages more memorable. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

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