noun
Uncommon
crimson
KRIHM-zuhn
Crimson (noun) means a deep, rich red colour with a hint of blue or purple in it. Example: “The autumn leaves turned a brilliant crimson.”
noun
1
A deep, rich red colour with a hint of blue or purple in it.
"The autumn leaves turned a brilliant crimson."
verb
1
To turn deep red, especially from embarrassment.
"Her cheeks crimsoned when he complimented her in front of everyone."
How to use crimson
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA deep, dark shade of red.
Common pairings
crimson red
blush crimson
crimson blood
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Word forms
- Plural
- crimsons
- Third person singular
- crimsons
- Past tense
- crimsoned
- Comparative
- more crimson
- Superlative
- most crimson
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The autumn leaves turned a brilliant _____.
Etymology
Traces back through Old Spanish and Arabic qirmiz to a Persian word for a red dye made from insects — the same root behind "kermes" and related to "carmine."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “crimson” mean?
The word “crimson” means a deep, rich red colour with a hint of blue or purple in it. In plain terms, a deep, dark shade of red.
How do you pronounce “crimson”?
“Crimson” is pronounced KRIHM-zuhn (/ˈkɹɪmzən/ in IPA).
How do you use “crimson” in a sentence?
Here is “crimson” used in a sentence: “The autumn leaves turned a brilliant crimson.”
What part of speech is “crimson”?
Depending on how it is used, “crimson” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “crimson” come from?
The word “crimson” comes from Spanish. Traces back through Old Spanish and Arabic qirmiz to a Persian word for a red dye made from insects — the same root behind "kermes" and related to "carmine.".
Is “crimson” a common word?
“Crimson” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “crimson” have?
“Crimson” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a deep, rich red colour with a hint of blue or purple in it.
What is the difference between crimson and red?
Red is a broad, general colour term, while crimson is a specific, deep, rich shade of red with a hint of blue or purple in it. Crimson is generally darker and more purplish than a pure or bright red.
What is the difference between crimson and scarlet?
Crimson has a slightly blue or purple undertone and reads as a deeper, richer red, whereas scarlet is a brighter, more orange-tinted red. Both are specific shades within the broader red family but lean in different directions on the colour wheel.
What does it mean when someone's face crimsons?
When a face is said to crimson, it means it turns deep red, typically from embarrassment. This verb use draws directly on the colour sense of crimson, applying it to the flushing of skin rather than an object.
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