Word of the Day

: September 27, 2024

lucid

adjective LOO-sid

What It Means

If something written, spoken, or otherwise communicated is described as lucid, it is very clear and easy to understand. A person described as lucid is able to think clearly. Lucid is also used to describe things that are luminous, or that are visually transparent.

// The film conveyed a lucid message that was hard to misinterpret.

// Brenna marveled at the sea stars and urchins she could see through the lucid water of the rock pool.

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lucid in Context

“Good popular science writing requires a rare combination of skills and attitudes. The author must be a trained scientist herself or at least a well-informed lay person capable of presenting often complex issues in clear, lucid prose.” — Tom Sandborn, The Vancouver (British Columbia) Sun, 10 Aug. 2024

Did You Know?

Let’s shine a light on lucid, an adjective whose senses of “shining” and “filled with light” reflect its roots in the Latin verb lucēre, meaning “to shine.” Lucid is also used to describe things that are visibly clear—that is, translucent (translucent being another lucēre descendent), as in “we enjoyed snorkeling in the lucid waters of the Caribbean.” Lucid is, however, most commonly applied in its figurative meanings where it can describe someone whose mind is clear, or something communicated with a clear meaning, as in “the author captured readers’ attention with her lucid prose,” and “the professor provided a lucid explanation of the topic.” Clearly, lucid has proven a useful and versatile word.