Meaning & use
crimson
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Of a deep, strong red that has a slight tint of purple or blue.
Grammar: Can come before a noun (a crimson cloak) or after a linking verb (the sky turned crimson).
Patterns
- turn crimson
- crimson with something
She wore a crimson scarf that stood out against the snow.
The sky turned crimson as the sun went down.
His face was crimson with embarrassment.
noununcountable
A deep red color with a hint of purple.
Grammar: As a color name it is usually uncountable: painted in crimson.
Patterns
- in crimson
- a shade of crimson
The walls of the hall were painted in crimson.
The maple leaves change from green to crimson in October.
The queen was dressed in gold and crimson.
verbtransitive or intransitiveliterary
To become deep red, especially in the face from embarrassment, or to make something this color.
Grammar: No object when someone's face goes red (she crimsoned); with an object when coloring something.
Patterns
- crimson with something
He crimsoned when everyone turned to look at him.
The sunset crimsoned the whole horizon.
Her cheeks crimsoned at the compliment.
Word forms
| comparative | more crimson |
|---|---|
| third person singular | crimsons |
| past tense | crimsoned |
| -ing form | crimsoning |
Common combinations
- crimson red
- The cardinal's crimson red feathers shone in the snow.
- crimson cheeks
- She hid her crimson cheeks behind her hands.
- crimson sunset
- We watched a crimson sunset over the sea.
- turn crimson
- He turned crimson when he forgot his lines.
- crimson robe
- The judge wore a long crimson robe.
Synonyms and how they differ
- scarlet
- Scarlet is a brighter, slightly orange red, while crimson is deeper and cooler.
- ruby
- Ruby is like the gemstone and suggests a glossy, clear red, where crimson is a more general deep red.
- red
- Red is the ordinary color word, and crimson adds richness and drama.
- burgundy
- Burgundy is darker, closer to red wine and brownish purple, than crimson.
Opposites
Word family
- crimsoned adjective
- made or turned deep red
- crimsoning adjective
- becoming crimson
- crimsonly adverb
- rare; in a crimson way
Commonly confused: crimson or scarlet?
crimson vs scarlet
Scarlet is a brighter red leaning toward orange, while crimson is deeper with a purple tinge.
Practice
Which word best fills the gap? "Embarrassed, she felt her face turn ___."
Choose one answer.
Crimson is a deep red, the color of a flushed face. Azure is blue, emerald is green, and ivory is cream white.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “crimson”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.