adjective

vivid

/ˈvɪvɪd/ · say it: VIV·id

producing strong, clear images in the mind

In Sophisticated Everyday

In more detail

1. (adjective) bright and strong in color

2. (adjective) producing sharp, clear, and strong images in the mind; lifelike and realistic

3. (adjective) (of a person's mind or memory) quick to form clear mental images

Examples

1. She wore a vivid red dress to the party.
2. He gave a vivid description of the accident that made everyone understand exactly what happened.
3. She has a vivid imagination and loves creating stories.

How to use vivid

Vivid describes something that stands out with unusual clarity, brightness, or detail—whether a color, mental image, or description. It suggests intensity and memorability rather than mere presence. Use it when you want to convey that something is not just visible or present, but sharp and arresting.

Common phrases

vivid color
vivid imagination
vivid description
vivid memory
vivid dream
strikingly vivid

Synonyms

bright · striking · graphic · intense · lifelike

Opposites

dull · faint · vague

Word family

vividly (adverb) · vividness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use vivid to mean simply 'colorful' or 'detailed' without the implication of striking intensity or clarity; vivid always carries a sense of vividness, not just existence.

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