vivid

IPA/ˈvɪvɪd/
KK[vˈɪvəd]IPA/ˈvɪvɪd/

vivid — adjective

  • vividpositive
  • more vividcomparative
  • most vividsuperlative

1. So clear and strong that the pictures they create in a person's thoughts seem al

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

So clear and strong that the pictures they create in a person's thoughts seem almost real — used for memories, descriptions, dreams, and imagination.

Example

Tomás has vivid memories of the day his grandmother taught him to bake bread.

collocation: vivid memories

The novel paints a vivid picture of a small fishing village in the 1960s.

collocation: paints a vivid picture of

Common collocations
  • vivid memory / memories
  • vivid description
  • vivid imagination
  • vivid dream
  • vivid picture
  • paint a vivid picture
Synonyms
  • graphic

    Focuses on explicit, often shocking detail; can carry a harsher tone than vivid

  • lifelike

    Suggests close resemblance to real life; less about emotional intensity

  • vibrant

    Adds a sense of energy and liveliness; also overlaps with Sense 2 for colour

Antonyms
  • vague

    Lacking clear detail or definition

  • dull

    Lacking impact, liveliness, or sharpness

Grammar Patterns

vivid + noun

so vivid that…

Usage Note

Common paired nouns include memory, description, imagination, dream, picture, and account. The adverb extremely is a typical intensifier.

Common Mistakes

She gave a vivid answer to the question.
She gave a clear answer to the question.
vivid is for descriptions, memories, and images that feel alive, not for general clarity in communication.

2. Having colours that are very strong, bright, and easy to notice — used for flowe

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

Having colours that are very strong, bright, and easy to notice — used for flowers, clothes, paintings, and other visible things.

Example

Aarav wore a vivid orange shirt to the summer party last weekend.

The market was full of vivid flowers in every colour imaginable.

Common collocations
  • vivid colour / colours
  • vivid shade
  • vivid blue / red / green / orange
  • vivid hues
Synonyms
  • bright

    More common and less intense than vivid; an everyday word for strong colour

  • vibrant

    Suggests energetic, lively colour with a sense of richness

  • brilliant

    Very bright, often with a shining or sparkling quality

Antonyms
  • dull

    Lacking brightness or saturation

  • pale

    Light in colour, low in intensity or saturation

Grammar Patterns

vivid + colour/shade

vivid + colour-name

Usage Note

Unlike everyday bright, vivid emphasises a striking, almost intense quality of colour. Less natural for pale or very light shades (pastels).

Common Mistakes

She chose a vivid white dress for the ceremony.
She chose a bright white dress for the ceremony.
vivid best fits strong, saturated colours; pale or neutral shades usually pair with bright, pure, or clean.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Vivid is the broadest of the four, covering any description, memory, or image that creates a clear, powerful impression in the mind. Graphic leans toward explicit, often unpleasant detail — a graphic account of a war injury is more about shocking realism than beauty. Lifelike focuses on how closely something resembles real life, especially in art or simulation: a lifelike portrait looks just like the person. Vibrant adds energy and vitality — a vibrant description feels not just clear but full of life and excitement. In everyday use, vivid is the safest choice for positive descriptions of clarity; graphic carries a warning of harshness; lifelike is specific to realism; and vibrant overlaps with Sense 2 of vivid (bright colours), so it suits energetic scenes.

vivid ↗graphic ↗lifelike ↗vibrant ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • extremely vivid
  • remarkably vivid
  • strikingly vivid
  • unusually vivid
  • so vivid
  • particularly vivid

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Comes from Latin vividus, meaning 'full of life' or 'lively', which itself comes from vivus 'alive' (related to English 'live' and 'life'). It entered English in the 17th century, first describing colours as 'lively, fresh', and soon after expanding to describe memories, descriptions, and dreams that feel as real and present as living experience.