livid

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparableinformal

   Extremely angry.

   Grammar: Usually follows a linking verb: she was livid.

   Patterns

   • be livid
   • livid with someone
   • livid about something

   My dad was livid when he saw the dent in the car.

   She was livid about the cancelled flight.

   The coach was livid with the referee.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nounliterarymedical

   Having a dark bluish-purple color, like a bruise.

   Grammar: Describes skin or sky; found in more formal or literary writing.

   Patterns

   • livid bruise
   • livid skin

   A livid bruise spread across his arm.

   The storm turned the sky a livid gray.

   Cold left her fingers livid and numb.

3. 3adjectivecomparablerare

   Very pale, as of skin that has lost its color.

   Grammar: Rare sense for a pale or ashen face.

   Patterns

   • livid with something

   Her face was livid with fear.

   He looked livid after the long illness.

   The patient's lips turned livid.

Common combinations

absolutely livid

The customers were absolutely livid about the delay.

livid with rage

He was livid with rage after the insult.

livid bruise

A livid bruise covered her shin.

look livid

Don't look so livid; it was just a mistake.

livid at someone

She was livid at her brother for lying.

Synonyms and how they differ

furious

Furious is the everyday word for extreme anger, while livid sounds a bit sharper and more about cold fury.

enraged

Enraged suggests anger that has been triggered, often with sudden intensity.

incensed

Incensed implies anger over something unfair or insulting.

irate

Irate is more formal and often used for angry customers.

Opposites

Word family

lividly adverb

in a very angry or discolored way

lividity noun

a bluish or discolored state

lividness noun

the state of being livid

Commonly confused: livid or livid vs lived?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “livid”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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