lucid

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Expressed so plainly and logically that it is easy to follow.

   Grammar: Used before a noun or after a linking verb: a lucid explanation; her essay was lucid.

   Patterns

   • a lucid account of something

   The professor gave a lucid explanation of how vaccines work.

   Her writing is lucid even when the subject is complicated.

   He offered a lucid summary of the contract's main points.

2. 2adjectivecomparable

   Able to think clearly and sensibly, especially after a period of confusion, illness, or old age.

   Grammar: Describes a person or a moment: he was lucid today; a lucid interval.

   Patterns

   • be lucid
   • have lucid moments

   Although very ill, she remained lucid and recognized every visitor.

   The old man has lucid moments when he tells wonderful stories.

   He was lucid enough to give the police a clear statement.

3. 3adjectivebefore a nountechnical

   Describing a dream in which the sleeper knows they are dreaming and may be able to steer it.

   Grammar: Almost always before dream or dreaming: a lucid dream.

   Patterns

   • lucid dreaming

   She learned lucid dreaming by checking her hands during the day.

   In a lucid dream he realized he was flying and decided to land by the sea.

Word forms

Common combinations

lucid explanation

The guide gave a lucid explanation of the city's history.

lucid prose

Her lucid prose made the science book enjoyable.

lucid moment

In a lucid moment he asked about his grandchildren.

remain lucid

The pilot remained lucid despite the lack of oxygen.

lucid dream

Lucid dreams are rare for most people.

Synonyms and how they differ

clear

Clear is the everyday, all-purpose word, while lucid praises a thing for being especially well ordered and easy to grasp.

coherent

Coherent stresses that the parts fit together logically, while lucid stresses ease of understanding.

rational

Rational focuses on reasoning rather than expression and, for a person, says nothing about how well they explain things.

articulate

Articulate describes a person who expresses ideas well in speech, whereas lucid can also describe the idea or text itself.

Opposites

Word family

lucidity noun

the quality of being clear and easy to understand

lucidly adverb

in a clear and easily understood way

lucidness noun

another word for lucidity, less common

elucidate verb

to make something clear by explaining it

Commonly confused: lucid or lurid?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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