# vivid

/ˈvɪvəd/ (US) · /vˈɪvɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vivid
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. bright and intense

adjective · CEFR B2

very bright and strong in colour.

For teachers: producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind through intense colour or light.

- The artist used vivid reds and oranges to paint the sunset.
- The tropical birds displayed such vivid plumage that they remained visible even against the dense, dark green of the rainforest canopy.

### 2. clear and detailed

adjective · CEFR B2

producing very clear and detailed images in your mind.

For teachers: evoking lifelike images or strong mental impressions through clarity and detail.

- I still have a vivid memory of my first day at school.
- The witness provided a vivid account of the event, describing the suspect's clothing and speech with remarkable precision.

### 3. a marker pen

noun · CEFR C1 · Dialect

a brand of permanent marker pen used for writing on many surfaces.

For teachers: a proprietary eponym for a felt-tipped permanent marker.

- Can you pass me a vivid so I can write my name on this box?
- He used a black vivid to label the moving crates, ensuring the ink wouldn't smudge if the cardboard got damp.

Usage: Commonly used in New Zealand English as a generic term for any permanent marker.

Teaching tip: This is a regional term; outside of New Zealand, people will simply say 'marker' or 'Sharpie'.

## Examples

- The artist used vivid colors to paint the sunset.
- Even after twenty years, she still has a vivid memory of her first day at university.
- The novelist’s vivid descriptions of the Victorian docks allow the reader to almost smell the salt air and hear the clatter of the horse-drawn carriages.

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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.