Definition

Having a dark bluish or grayish color, often due to anger or bruising; extremely angry.

Example

She was livid when she found out someone had stolen her lunch.

Conversation

Did you see how angry she was when she found out?

Yeah, she looked absolutely livid!

I can't believe they would do something like that to her.

Right? It's no wonder she was so upset.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Livid comes from the Latin 'lividus' (meaning bluish or lead-colored), which is derived from 'livere' (meaning to be bluish or black and blue). The word originally described a color resembling that of bruises, hence the modern meaning of being pale or ashen, often due to anger or shock.

Memory Tip

Think of the bluish color ('lividus') that appears on skin when someone is bruised, which helps you remember that 'livid' can describe a pale or angry appearance.

Visually Confused Words