vermilion
4 synonyms for vermilion, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A vivid orange-red color, originally made from a mineral pigment.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A vivid orange-red color, originally made from a mineral pigment.
“The temple gates were painted a striking vermilion.”
scarlet
orange red
2. adj
Having this bright orange-red color.
“Autumn had turned the maple leaves vermilion.”
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From Old French vermeillon, from vermeil, ultimately from Latin vermiculus ("little worm") — the color was originally made from crushed scale insects used for red dye.
Full origin of vermilion →Frequently asked questions
What does “vermilion” mean?
The word “vermilion” means a vivid orange-red color, originally made from a mineral pigment. In plain terms, a bright red-orange color, like a fire-engine red with a touch of orange.
How do you pronounce “vermilion”?
“Vermilion” is pronounced vuh-MIHL-yuhn (/vɚˈmɪl.jən/ in IPA).
How do you use “vermilion” in a sentence?
Here is “vermilion” used in a sentence: “The temple gates were painted a striking vermilion.”
What part of speech is “vermilion”?
Depending on how it is used, “vermilion” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “vermilion” come from?
The word “vermilion” comes from Latin. From Old French vermeillon, from vermeil, ultimately from Latin vermiculus ("little worm") — the color was originally made from crushed scale insects used for red dye.
How many meanings does “vermilion” have?
“Vermilion” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a vivid orange-red color, originally made from a mineral pigment.
