• Today's Word

Lurid

LUR-id

Definition

1. (adjective) Shockingly vivid, sensational, or gruesome—often in a disturbing way.

Example

The tabloid’s lurid headline exaggerated every detail of the scandal.

“Lurid” originally described a pale, ghostly glow—like the eerie light of a volcano or twilight. Over time, it evolved to refer to overly dramatic or shocking content, especially in journalism or fiction. Gothic novels, horror films, and clickbait headlines all rely on a touch of lurid flair to keep audiences hooked.