adj. 1 vivid or glowing in colour (lurid orange). 2 of an unnatural glare (lurid nocturnal brilliance). 3 sensational, horrifying, or terrible (lurid details). 4 showy, gaudy (paperbacks with lurid covers). 5 ghastly, wan (lurid complexion). 6 Bot. of a dingy yellowish brown. cast a lurid light on explain or reveal (facts or character) in a horrific, sensational, or shocking way. luridly adv. luridness n.
[ L luridus f. luror wan or yellow colour ]