Do you know the definition of livid? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word livid, including its definition, usage, word origin, example sentences, and more!
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Kevin
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June 17, 2021
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What does the word livid mean?
According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language and other English dictionaries like Collins and American Heritage, the word livid is an adjective that can describe something that is either black and blue, like a discolored bruise, ashen, or reddish. This word can also describe someone who is very angry or enraged. The pronunciation of livid is liv-id. Many different suffixes can be added on to the end of the word livid to create different parts of speech. Ly creates lividly (adv.), ty creates lividity (n.), and so on for other related words.
Many different languages also contain words that mean livid. You may notice that some of these words look and sound similar to each other. These are called cognates, which are words and phrases in different languages that look and sound similar and also mean similar things. These are often formed when two words have the same root or language of origin. Below are two different lists of translations for the word livid, for both of its definitions, provided by Word Sense.
(adj.) – having a dark, blueish plum appearance
- Dutch: livide
- Mandarin: 鐵青, 铁青 (tiěqīng)
- Greek: μολυβής , μελανιασμένος
- Spanish: lívido
- Russian: си́не-се́рый, багро́вый
- Finnish: lautunut
- German: blau
- Maori: pūpango
- Irish: gorm, gormach, dubhghlas (dúghlas)
(adj.) – angry or furious
- Maori: pukuriri, wheke, tūpehupehu
- German: blass vor Wut, wütend
- Mandarin: 怒氣沖沖, 怒气冲冲 (nùqìchōngchōng), 大發雷霆, 大发雷霆 (dàfāléitíng)
- Polish: wściekły
- Italian: furibondo (masc.), furibonda (fem.)
- Danish: rasende
- Dutch: razend
- Greek: μαινόμενος, έξαλλος
- Finnish: raivostunut, (dated) raivoisa, (colloquial) raivo
- Russian: я́ростный, злой
- Swedish: rasande
How can the word livid be used in a sentence?
The word livid can be used in many different sentences and contexts in the English language. Below are many examples of livid. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today!
Livid bruises covered her flesh, lips, and nails following the contusion from the accident.
The man was rife with illness after the strangulation. The congestion of blood vessels were livid around his neck, giving him a deathlike luminosity and greyish tinge.
The children lived in terror; they never knew when their father’s emotion would switch from deep gloom to livid at the drop of a hat.
Livid lightning filled the sky as the children ran from their dire conditions in the field into their home.
Those without a high school education often work some of the toughest jobs. Many people harden at these hard labor jobs, coming home with livid pink lacerations or bruises of a bluish leaden color all over.
The upset superstar Antoni was livid at his tour manager; be believed his willful stupidity caused the tour not to sell any tickets. Antoni gave him one final warning.
The female teaching colleague came back to school with bloodless lips and bruises the color of Barney from her intense medical care and dialysis treatment.
The burning charcoal furnace caused livid marks on the torso of the solicitous woman, Alex. She treated the injured area with homeopathic remedies but tended to recoil at touch; thus was the unfairness of life.
People who were once admirers of the politician found frustration with his informal speech and use of colloquial expression. They felt his unprofessionalism did not reflect well on the national flag, and became livid with his leadership and life of splendor.
What is the origin of the word livid?
According to Etymonline, the word livid has been used since the early 15th century Middle English to mean having a bluish color or bluish appearance. This comes from the Old French livide (13c) and the Latin līvidus/Latin lividus. This comes from the Latin livere/līvēre and Latin slivere, from the Old Latin līveō, and earlier from the Proto-Indo-European roots swilo and sleiə or leie. These are also the sources of the old Church Slavonic and Russian sliva, Lithuanian slyvas, Old Irish li, Welsh lliw, and Old English sla/sloe. Livid has been used to mean angry since 1912.
What are synonyms and antonyms for the word livid?
There are many different words that a person can use in place of the word livid. These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same definition as another word or phrase. Learning synonyms is a great way to expand your vocabulary and avoid repeating yourself. This list of synonyms for the word livid is provided by Thesaurus.
- vehement
- desperate
- enraged
- furious
- unreasonable
- maniac
- hopping mad
- hacked
- vicious
- steamed
- boiling
- crazed
- frenetic
- rabid
- raging
- incensed
- fit to be tied
- insane
- demented
- beside oneself
- smoking
- fuming
- frantic
- bent out of shape
- corybantic
- bummed out
- bent
- violent
- up in arms
- on the warpath
- irrational
- infuriated
- fierce
- frenzied
- wrathful
- browned off
- maddened
There are also numerous different words that have the opposite meaning of the word livid. These opposite words are called antonyms. Learning antonyms is another great, easy way to expand your English language vocabulary. This list of antonyms for the word livid is also provided by Thesaurus.
- exultant
- joyous
- perky
- jubilant
- on cloud nine
- peaceful
- peppy
- laughing
- intoxicated
- convivial
- lively
- gratified
- playful
- thrilled
- happy
- overjoyed
- captivated
- ecstatic
- looking good
- elated
- mirthful
- flying high
- sparkling
- walking on air
- pleasant
- gay
- chipper
- pleased
- content
- jolly
- light
- can’t complain
- contented
- delighted
- chirpy
- gleeful
- blithe
- blessed
- glad
- joyful
- up
- tickled pink
- cheerful
- blest
- upbeat
- blissful
- merry
- tickled
- sunny
Overall, the word livid means dull blue or grayish blue in color, reddish, or having a strong emotion of fury or anger. This word is of Latin origin.
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