crimson
Americannoun
verb
-
to make or become crimson
-
(intr) to blush
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of crimson
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; see origin at kermes; see also carmine, cramoisy
Explanation
Crimson is a deep, vivid shade of red. You could describe flowers, blood, or blushing cheeks as crimson. The ruby red color crimson shows up brilliantly in nature, in the form of flowers, birds, and insects. In fact, it was an insect that led to the word crimson in the first place; an insect called kermes was used for centuries to make a deep red dye, which was called cremesin in Old Spanish and eventually became crimson.
Vocabulary lists containing crimson
"The Great Gatsby," Chapter 1 Vocabulary
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Frindle
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Red
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Every time you start a new job,” Rao told the Crimson, “you strike a new balance.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026
Last season: Simpson, a fourth-year junior, passed for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns while leading the Crimson Tide to an 11-4 record.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026
Cook had far more success in “replacing a legend” than his rival Crimson Tide.
From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026
The Department of Fish and Wildlife came in contact with Crimson, whom they referred to as P-131, because the National Park Service had collared his mother as part of a long-term research project.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
Crimson suede sofas sat cordially next to the stained upholstery love seat my father had dragged in from the dump many years before.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
