glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism
adjective (modifies a noun)
more lurid
most lurid
lurid details of the accident
Latin luridus "pale yellow, ghastly", of uncertain origin, perhaps cognate with...
(Source: Online Etymology) [more]
causing shock, horror, or disgust | See "shocking pink" | [informal] very bad or terrible | to experience or cause to experience extreme horror, ... (21 of 739 words, 13 definitions, 13 usage examples, pronunciations)
an Australian bred Thoroughbred racehorse, trained by Mark Kavanagh, who won the 149th Melbourne Cup on 3 November 2009 by three-quarters of a length. Shocking is by the outstanding sire, Street Cry out of Maria Di Castaglia by Danehill. George Fraser ... (41 of 453 words)
extremely startling, distressing, or offensive (5 of 148 words, 1 usage example, pronunciations)
something that is shocking makes you feel extremely surprised or upset ; used about something immoral that offends or embarrasses you | [British, ... (22 of 56 words, 2 definitions, 3 usage examples, pronunciation)
www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/shocking
causing indignation or disgust; offensive | causing a feeling of surprise and dismay | [British, informal] : very bad (17 of 56 words, 3 definitions, 3 usage examples, pronunciation)
offensive, upsetting or immoral (4 of 40 words, 2 usage examples, pronunciations)
dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/shocking 1
extremely bad or unpleasant, or of very low quality (9 of 31 words, 2 usage examples, pronunciations)
dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/shocking 2
extremely surprising (2 of 21 words, 1 usage example, pronunciations)
having an effect like that of a heavy blow or shock; staggering | highly offensive to good taste, propriety, etc.; extremely revolting ; very bad (24 of 33 words, 2 definitions, 1 usage example, pronunciation)
Highly disturbing emotionally. | Highly offensive; indecent or distasteful. | Very vivid or intense in tone (14 of 21 words, 3 definitions, 1 usage example, pronunciation)
Inspiring shock; startling | Unusually obscene or lewd | [informal] Extremely bad | Present participle of shock. (14 of 20 words, 4 definitions, pronunciation)
causing intense surprise, disgust, horror, etc. | very bad. (8 of 17 words, 2 definitions, 1 usage example, pronunciation)
emotionally distressing or horrifying | provoking a deeply offended or outraged response | very bad or unpleasant (informal) | very bright or glaring ... (20 of 51 words, 4 definitions, pronunciation)
encarta.msn.com/dictionary 1861735408/definition.html [offline]
First use: 1650s
Origin: Latin luridus "pale yellow, ghastly", of uncertain origin, perhaps cognate with Greek khloros. The figurative sense of "sensational" is ... (20 of 23 etymology words)
First use: mid 17th century
Origin: (in the sense "pale and dismal in colour"): from Latin luridus; related to luror "wan or yellow colour"
First use: 17th century
Origin: from Latin lūridus pale yellow; probably related to lūtum a yellow vegetable dye
First use: 1603
Origin: Latin luridus pale yellow, sallow
First use: Mid-17th century
Origin: Latin luridus "pale yellow, ghastly"
encarta.msn.com/dictionary 1861738925/definition.html [offline]
Audio: North American pronunciation of "lurid"
www.merriam-webster.com/audio.php file=lurid001 word=lurid
Page last updated: 2013-06-26