crimson

[krim-zuhn, -suhn]

adjective

1. deep purplish-red.

2. sanguinary.

noun

1. a crimson color, pigment, or dye.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become crimson.

crimson

/ ˈkrɪmzən /

noun

1. 1. a deep or vivid red colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a crimson rose

verb

1. to make or become crimson

2. (intr) to blush

Other Word Forms

• crimsonly adverb
• crimsonness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of crimson¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English cremesin, cremesie, crensein, crim(e)sin, from Medieval Latin cremesīnus, ultimately from Arabic qirmizī, equivalent to qirmiz + -ī a suffix indicating relationship or origin; kermes; carmine, cramoisy

Word History and Origins

Origin of crimson¹

C14: from Old Spanish cremesin, from Arabic qirmizi red of the kermes, from qirmiz _kermes

Example Sentences

“All summer, there had been fewer cars on the road in Southern California, and everyone remarked on how with no smog, the sunsets weren’t deep, heated crimson. Just quiet slipping into darkness.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A TV helicopter hovered too low, kicking up a crimson plume of dirt.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Shrouded in crimson robes, prayer beads moving rhythmically past his fingers, the monk walks towards us.

Read more on BBC

Annie did an interview on her "charity work" with the Aberdeen Evening News, turning up at a hotel in Portree in a striking crimson dressing gown and fingers adorned with jewelled rings.

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Nine keys are kept in a crimson velvet bag, but only one will open the box.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• maroon