Livid is an adjective with several distinct meanings. It can describe skin that looks bruisedMarked by a dark injury color from impact or pressure. or discolored, a pale or deathly-looking face, or someone who is extremelyTo a very high degree; far beyond what is usual. angry. In older or literary use, it can also describe an eerie, deathlike lightVisible illumination, especially from a source, not darkness..
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈlɪvɪd/
Easy pronunciation: LIV-id (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Use this for the adjective meaning very angry.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Livid Meaning
very angry
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: extremely angry
Example: She was livid when she found out what had happened.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- furious — A strong everyday substitute for the anger sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Livid
Meaning 2
bruised and bluish
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: discolored by coagulation of blood beneath the skin
Example: He had a livid bruise on his arm.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- black-and-blue — A direct match for bruised discoloration.
Meaning 3
pale and unhealthy-looking
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: anemic looking from illness or emotion
Example: After hearing the news, he looked livid and unsteady.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- ashen — Works well for a pale, grayish look caused by shock or illness.
- blanched — Can fit a face drained of color, though it is a bit more formal.
- bloodless — A good match for very pale, drained-looking skin.
- white — Used in phrases like 'white as a sheet' for a pale face, but less precise than the others.
Meaning 4
strangely bright and eerie
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: (of a light) imparting a deathlike luminosity
Example: The storm cloud flashed with livid lightning.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Livid Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- furious
bruised or discolored
- black-and-blue
pale or deathly-looking
- ashen
- bloodless
- blanched
- white
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not use livid to mean 'pale' in modern everyday English unless the context is old-fashioned, poetic, or literary.
- Don't mix up the anger meaning with the bruise/discoloration meaning; they are different senses.
- In contemporary usage, livid most often means 'extremely angry,' not 'bluish' or 'deathly pale.'
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does livid mean?
Livid most commonly means extremely angry. It can also describe a bruise-like discoloration, a pale or deathly look, or, in literary use, an eerie light.
What are synonyms for livid?
For the anger sense, a strong synonym is furious. For the bruise sense, black-and-blue works. For the pale-looking sense, ashen and bloodless are close matches.
Is livid always about anger?
No. Anger is the most common modern meaning, but livid also has older senses connected to bruised skin, pale looks, and deathlike light.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.