scarlet

[ skahr-lit ]

noun

1. a bright-red color inclining toward orange.
2. cloth or clothing of this color.

adjective

1. of the color scarlet.
2. flagrantly offensive:

   Their sins were scarlet.

scarlet

/ ˈskɑːlɪt /

noun

1. a vivid red colour, sometimes with an orange tinge
2. cloth or clothing of this colour

adjective

1. of the colour scarlet
2. sinful or immoral, esp unchaste

Word History and Origins

Origin of scarlet¹

1200–50; Middle English < Old French escarlate < Medieval Latin scarlata, scarletum, perhaps < Arabic saqirlāṭ, siqillāṭ < Medieval Greek sigillátos < Latin sigillātus decorated with patterns in relief; sigillate

Word History and Origins

Origin of scarlet¹

C13: from Old French escarlate fine cloth, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Its length combines with its silver skin and bright red scarlet fins to give it a mythical look.

From Los Angeles Times

You would see movies with Bette Davis in them, and just because she wore a red gown, she was, "Oh, a scarlet woman, a red gown."

From Salon

News of the arrival of the scarlet tanager - more usually found in the forests of North America - broke last weekend, sending birdwatchers into a state of excitement.

From BBC

The scarlet tanager is Mr Nash's 435th species spotted in Britain.

From BBC

That’s enough of a red flag by itself, but JP’s 24/7 style commitment to stars, stripes and ye olde red, white and blue had viewers scouring footage for signs of a telltale scarlet cap.

From Salon