vibrant

Definitions

vibr (to shake, quiver) + -ant (present participle, 'doing') = 'quivering with energy.' From this one image the word branches into three senses: full of life (a vibrant city), bright in color (vibrant red), and resonant in sound (a vibrant voice) — all describe something so alive it seems to tremble with force.

Why It Means This

All three senses of vibrant trace back to a single image: something quivering with energy. A vibrant city buzzes with life, a vibrant color seems to leap off the surface, a vibrant voice carries and resonates. Notice they are different domains (energy, sight, sound) but one underlying feeling — intensity so strong it seems to vibrate.

Common Collocations

• 1.a vibrant city充满活力的城市
• 2.vibrant colors鲜艳的色彩
• 3.vibrant culture生机勃勃的文化
• 4.vibrant community活跃的社区
• 5.a vibrant voice洪亮的嗓音

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The neighborhood is vibrant, full of street markets and live music.

• 2.

  She painted the wall a vibrant shade of orange.

• 3.

  His vibrant, booming voice filled the entire concert hall.

• 4.

  Tokyo has one of the most vibrant nightlife scenes in the world.

Easily Confused

vibrant vs lively — both mean full of energy, but vibrant is stronger and adds richness of color or sound (a vibrant culture, vibrant red). lively is more about quick, active movement or liveliness (a lively child, a lively debate). You'd call a market vibrant for its color and buzz, but a conversation lively for its quick back-and-forth.