Vibrant means full of bright life and energy. Vibrant colours, a vibrant city, a vibrant atmosphere — in each the word says the thing is not merely present but noticeably alive.
It is used most about two things: colour, where vibrant means strong and clear rather than washed out, and places or communities, where it means busy and full of interest. That second use has become a cliché of estate agents and tourist boards, so it is worth spending carefully. The literal root is still visible in the third sense: a vibrant sound is one that vibrates and carries, and a vibrant voice is one you can feel.
1adjectivevibrantBright and strong, said of colour.
“The kitchen is painted a vibrant yellow.”
2adjectivelivelyFull of energy and activity.
“It is a vibrant part of town after dark.”
synonyms: lively, buzzing
3adjectivesoundOf a sound or voice, resonant and carrying.
“She has a vibrant speaking voice that fills a hall.”
vibrant is a quality of liveliness.
Also accepted in games: lively
Latin vibrans is the present participle of vibrare, to shake or quiver — the same verb behind vibrate and vibration. A vibrant colour is, at the root, a colour that trembles, which is a surprisingly good description of what a very saturated red does to the eye.
Latin
vibrans
French
vibrant
English, today
vibrant
Built from
From French vibrant, from Latin vibrans, present participle of vibrare (“to vibrate”). See vibrate.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA