# livid

/ˈɫɪvɪd/ (US) · /lˈɪvɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/livid
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. extremely angry

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

extremely angry or furious about something.

For teachers: extremely angry; furious. While the etymological root refers to turning pale with rage, it is now used as a general intensifier for anger.

- My boss was livid when he found out I had lost the important files.
- The residents were livid after the council decided to cancel the project without any prior public consultation.

### 2. discoloured or bruised

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary · Technical

having a dark, bluish, or purple colour, like a bruise on the skin.

For teachers: having a dark, bluish, or leaden appearance; often used to describe the colour of bruised flesh or a stormy sky.

- The boxer had a livid bruise under his left eye after the fight.
- The sky turned a livid shade of grey just before the storm broke over the valley.

### 3. pale or bloodless

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

looking very pale, especially because of illness or strong emotion.

For teachers: pallid or ashen in appearance; lacking healthy colour.

- His face was livid with fear as he watched the ghost appear.
- She stood by the window, her features livid in the cold moonlight, looking like a marble statue.

## Examples

- He was livid when he found out the truth.
- The manager was livid after seeing the damaged equipment and refused to pay for the repairs.
- The witness turned livid as the defense attorney suggested she had lied under oath, her face losing all color as she stood to protest the accusation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.