First Known Use: 1603
Dictionary
lurid
adjective lu·rid \ˈlu̇r-əd\
: causing shock or disgust : involving sex or violence in a way that is meant to be shocking
: shining or glowing with a bright and unpleasant color
Full Definition of LURID
1
a : causing horror or revulsion : gruesome b : melodramatic, sensational; also : shocking <paperbacks in the usual lurid covers — T. R. Fyvel>
2
a : wan and ghastly pale in appearance b : of any of several light or medium grayish colors ranging in hue from yellow to orange
3
: shining with the red glow of fire seen through smoke or cloud
— lu·rid·ly adverb
— lu·rid·ness noun
See lurid defined for English-language learners
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Origin of LURID
Latin luridus pale yellow, sallow
Related to LURID
Synonym Discussion of LURID
ghastly, grisly, gruesome, macabre, lurid mean horrifying and repellent in appearance or aspect. ghastly suggests the terrifying aspects of corpses and ghosts <a ghastly accident>. grisly and gruesome suggest additionally the results of extreme violence or cruelty <an unusually grisly murder> <suffered a gruesome death>. macabre implies a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death <a macabre tale of premature burial>. lurid adds to gruesome the suggestion of shuddering fascination with violent death and especially with murder <the lurid details of a crime>.
Rhymes with LURID
LURIDNESS Defined for Kids
lurid
adjective lu·rid \ˈlu̇r-əd\
Definition of LURID for Kids
1
: causing shock or disgust <a lurid story>
2
: glowing with an overly bright color <lurid neon lights>
— lu·rid·ly adverb
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