Reds
Reds (noun) means an informal, sometimes politically loaded term for communists or communist parties. Example: “Cold War propaganda often warned of the reds infiltrating society.”
How to use Reds
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: communists, or a sports team known by its red kit.
The "communists" sense is dated and often carries a politically charged tone from the Cold War era.
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Cold War propaganda often warned of the _____ infiltrating society.
Etymology
In reference to the ancient Roman and medieval Byzantine racing faction, a calque of Latin russātī (“Reddish-Brown-Clads”) or factio russata (“the reddish-brown-clad faction”) and Byzantine Greek Ῥούσιοι (Rhoúsioi, “Reds”).
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Reds
See all rhymes for Reds →Frequently asked questions
What does “Reds” mean?
The word “Reds” means an informal, sometimes politically loaded term for communists or communist parties. In plain terms, depending on context: communists, or a sports team known by its red kit.
How do you use “Reds” in a sentence?
Here is “Reds” used in a sentence: “Cold War propaganda often warned of the reds infiltrating society.”
What part of speech is “Reds”?
“Reds” is a noun.
Is “Reds” a common word?
“Reds” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Reds” have?
“Reds” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an informal, sometimes politically loaded term for communists or communist parties.
Why are communists called Reds?
Communists and socialists are called Reds because red has long been the colour of left-wing and revolutionary movements, most visibly in the red flag. The label became especially common in Western countries during the Cold War, when it was often used disapprovingly.
Which sports teams are nicknamed the Reds?
Several teams that play in red kit are nicknamed the Reds, including Liverpool FC and Manchester United in English football and the Cincinnati Reds in American baseball. The nickname simply reflects the colour of the team's strip or uniform.
Is calling someone a Red offensive?
When used to label someone a communist, Red is informal and often derogatory or politically loaded, particularly in its Cold War usage. Applied to a sports team, however, it is a neutral and affectionate nickname.
Is Reds capitalised?
Reds is usually capitalised both as a political label for communists and as a sports-team nickname, because it functions as a proper noun. The everyday colour word "red" is only capitalised at the start of a sentence.