adj
C2
Proficient
lurid
LOOR-rihd
Lurid (adj) means Shockingly graphic or sensational, especially about violence, scandal, or sex. Example: “The tabloids ran lurid details of the celebrity divorce.”
adj
1
Shockingly graphic or sensational, especially about violence, scandal, or sex.
"The tabloids ran lurid details of the celebrity divorce."
"He gave a lurid account of the crash that left listeners uneasy."
2
Unpleasantly bright or gaudy in colour.
"She wore a lurid green jacket that clashed with everything."
How to use lurid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShockingly graphic and sensationalised, or unpleasantly bright/gaudy in colour.
Common pairings
lurid details
lurid headlines
lurid colours
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more lurid
- Superlative
- most lurid
Fill the gap
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The tabloids ran _____ details of the celebrity divorce.
Etymology
From Latin luridus ("pale yellow, sallow"); the modern sense of "shockingly sensational" developed much later in English.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “lurid” mean?
The word “lurid” means shockingly graphic or sensational, especially about violence, scandal, or sex. In plain terms, shockingly graphic and sensationalised, or unpleasantly bright/gaudy in colour.
How do you pronounce “lurid”?
“Lurid” is pronounced LOOR-rihd (/ˈlʊɹɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “lurid” in a sentence?
Here is “lurid” used in a sentence: “The tabloids ran lurid details of the celebrity divorce.”
What part of speech is “lurid”?
“Lurid” is an adjective.
Where does the word “lurid” come from?
The word “lurid” comes from Latin. From Latin luridus ("pale yellow, sallow"); the modern sense of "shockingly sensational" developed much later in English.
How many meanings does “lurid” have?
“Lurid” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: shockingly graphic or sensational, especially about violence, scandal, or sex.
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