Spell Bee Word: lurid

Basic Details

Word: Lurid

Part of Speech: Adjective

Meaning: Very vivid in colour, especially to the point of being shocking or unpleasant.

Synonyms: Gruesome, shocking, sensational

Antonyms: Subtle, dull, bland

Idioms and Phrases

1. Lurid details: Graphic or sensational elements in a story or report. Example: "The news article was filled with lurid details about the crime that made it hard to read."
2. Paint a lurid picture: To describe something in a vivid and shocking way. Example: "The author painted a lurid picture of the haunted house, making it truly frightening."

Usage Examples

Example 1: The film was filled with lurid scenes that made some viewers uncomfortable.

Example 2: She chose a lurid pink for her room, which made it very bright and eye-catching.

Example 3: The lurid headlines in the tabloids often exaggerate the truth to attract attention.

Fun Fact

The word "lurid" comes from the Latin word "luridus," which means "ghastly or pale." Over time, it evolved to describe something that is not just pale but shockingly bright or vividly unpleasant.

Famous Quote

"You can’t be happy without being free. And you can’t really be free if you’re lurid." - J.B. Priestley

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. What does "lurid" mean?

a) Soft and gentle
b) Very bright and shocking
c) Well-organised
d) Calm and peaceful

Answer: b) Very bright and shocking

2. Which of these is a synonym of "lurid"?

a) Gruesome
b) Dull
c) Light
d) Clear

Answer: a) Gruesome

3. Which is an antonym of "lurid"?

a) Shocking
b) Sensational
c) Subtle
d) Bright

Answer: c) Subtle

4. Which sentence uses "lurid" correctly?

a) The cake was decorated with lurid colours that made it look appetizing.
b) The lurid details of the movie made it less enjoyable for many.
c) She wore a lurid outfit that everyone admired.
d) The sun set in a lurid sky, painting everything in a beautiful light.

Answer: b) The lurid details of the movie made it less enjoyable for many.

5. Which idiom means to describe something in a vivid and shocking way?

a) Paint a lurid picture
b) Jump the gun
c) Break a leg
d) Keep your chin up

Answer: a) Paint a lurid picture