noun

vermilion

vuh-MIHL-yuhn

noun

A vivid orange-red color, originally made from a mineral pigment.

"The temple gates were painted a striking vermilion."

adj

Having this bright orange-red color.

"Autumn had turned the maple leaves vermilion."

How to Use Vermilion

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA bright red-orange color, like a fire-engine red with a touch of orange.

Common mistake

The color is spelled "vermilion" with one L; "Vermillion" with two Ls is the South Dakota city name.

Easily confused with

vermillion →

Word Forms

more vermilion comparative, vermilioned past tense, vermilions plural, vermilions singular, most vermilion superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The temple gates were painted a striking _____.

Etymology

From Old French vermeillon, from vermeil, ultimately from Latin vermiculus ("little worm") — the color was originally made from crushed scale insects used for red dye.

Rhymes for vermilion

ion lion Zion Dion Sion union scion Orion Onion action minion bunion

See all rhymes for vermilion →