lucid

adjective lu·cid \ˈlü-səd\

: very clear and easy to understand

: able to think clearly

Full Definition of LUCID

a : suffused with light : luminous

b : translucent <snorkeling in the lucid sea>

: having full use of one's faculties : sane

: clear to the understanding : intelligible

— lu·cid·ly adverb

— lu·cid·ness noun

See lucid defined for English-language learners

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Examples of LUCID

His lucid history of this grim subject is scrupulously accurate, so far as I am able to judge … —Richard A. Posner, New Republic, 8 Apr 2002
“You would like me to read to you?” “You would oblige me greatly by doing so, Dorothea,” said Mr. Casaubon, with a shade more meekness than usual in his polite manner. “I am wakeful: my mind is remarkably lucid.” —George Eliot, Middlemarch, 1872
The atmosphere, seen through a short space of half or three-quarters of a mile, was perfectly lucid, but at a greater distance all colours were blended into a most beautiful haze … —Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the Beagle, 1839
The stroke also set off a major crisis of presidential succession, as the debilitated and not entirely lucid president continued to cling to office and plan feebly for re-election. —Beverly Gage New York Times Book Review, 13 Dec 2009
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Origin of LUCID

Latin lucidus, from lucēre (see lucent)

First Known Use: 1591

Related to LUCID

Synonyms: beaming, bedazzling, brilliant, candescent, clear, dazzling, effulgent, fulgent, glowing, incandescent, lambent, lucent, bright, luminous, lustrous, radiant, refulgent, sheeny, shining, shiny, splendid

Antonyms: dim, dull, lackluster, unbright, unbrilliant

Synonym Discussion of LUCID

clear, transparent, translucent, limpid mean capable of being seen through. clear implies absence of cloudiness, haziness, or muddiness <clear water>. transparent implies being so clear that objects can be seen distinctly <a transparent sheet of film>. translucent implies the passage of light but not a clear view of what lies beyond <translucent frosted glass>. limpid suggests the soft clearness of pure water <her eyes were limpid pools of blue>.

clear, perspicuous, lucid mean quickly and easily understood. clear implies freedom from obscurity, ambiguity, or undue complexity <clear instructions>. perspicuous applies to a style that is simple and elegant as well as clear <a perspicuous style>. lucid suggests a clear logical coherence and evident order of arrangement <a lucid explanation>.