vivid
/ˈvɪv.ɪd/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Very clear, strong, and easy to see, remember, or imagine. A vivid colour is bright and intense. A vivid description makes something feel real.
- She gave a vivid account of the accident.
- The painting has vivid blue and green colours.
- I still have vivid memories of my childhood.
Adinary Nuance
Vivid is stronger than clear and more specific than bright. Use it for images, memories, descriptions, and colours that feel intense and easy to picture. It often suggests strong mental or visual impact, not just general quality.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sống động
- Spanish
- vivo
- Chinese
- 生动的
- Japanese
- 鮮やかな
- Korean
- 생생한
Etymology
Vivid comes from Latin vividus, meaning 'full of life.' It entered English in the 17th century and kept this sense of strong, lively clarity.
Common phrases
vivid colourvivid memoryvivid descriptionvivid dream
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is vivid used more for colours or for descriptions?
- It is used for both. For colours, it means bright and strong. For descriptions, it means clear and easy to imagine.
- What is the difference between vivid and bright?
- Bright mainly talks about light or colour. Vivid can also describe memories, dreams, and descriptions that feel very real.
- Can I say vivid dream?
- Yes. A vivid dream is very clear and easy to remember after waking.
- Is vivid formal or informal?
- It is neutral. You can use it in everyday speech, school writing, and formal writing.