scarlet
SKAH-liht
Scarlet (noun) means a vivid red colour, sometimes with an orange tinge. Example: “The leaves turned scarlet in early autumn.”
noun
1
A vivid red colour, sometimes with an orange tinge.
"The leaves turned scarlet in early autumn."
adjective
1
Of a bright, deep red colour.
"She wore a scarlet dress to the gala."
"The postbox was a bright scarlet against the grey stone wall."
"He tied a scarlet ribbon around the gift."
How to use scarlet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rich, bright red.
Common pairings
scarlet fever
scarlet red
turn scarlet
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Word forms
- Plural
- scarlets
- Third person singular
- scarlets
- Past tense
- scarleted
- Comparative
- more scarlet
- Superlative
- most scarlet
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The leaves turned _____ in early autumn.
Etymology
From Old French escarlate, originally naming a fine woollen cloth, itself traced back through Arabic and possibly Byzantine Greek — the colour sense came later, from the cloth's typical dye.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for scarlet
See all rhymes for scarlet →Frequently asked questions
What does “scarlet” mean?
The word “scarlet” means a vivid red colour, sometimes with an orange tinge. In plain terms, a rich, bright red.
How do you pronounce “scarlet”?
“Scarlet” is pronounced SKAH-liht (/ˈskɑɹlɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “scarlet” in a sentence?
Here is “scarlet” used in a sentence: “The leaves turned scarlet in early autumn.”
What is another word for “scarlet”?
Words with a similar meaning to “scarlet” include scarlet red.
What part of speech is “scarlet”?
Depending on how it is used, “scarlet” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “scarlet” come from?
The word “scarlet” comes from Old French. From Old French escarlate, originally naming a fine woollen cloth, itself traced back through Arabic and possibly Byzantine Greek — the colour sense came later, from the cloth's typical dye.
Is “scarlet” a common word?
“Scarlet” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “scarlet” have?
“Scarlet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a vivid red colour, sometimes with an orange tinge.
What is the difference between scarlet and crimson?
Scarlet is a vivid red colour, sometimes with an orange tinge, while crimson is a deeper, slightly purplish-red shade. Both are shades within the red family but scarlet leans brighter and warmer, whereas crimson leans darker and cooler.
Is scarlet the same as red?
Scarlet is a specific, more vivid and orange-tinged shade within the broader colour category of red, rather than a synonym for red in general. All scarlet is red, but not all red is scarlet.
Can scarlet be used to describe something other than colour?
Yes, scarlet is primarily a colour term, used as both a noun for the shade itself and an adjective describing something of that bright, deep red colour, such as scarlet fabric or a scarlet flower.
