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

This region shelters not only migratory songbirds but also jaguars, tapirs, and scarlet macaws.

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Fans on X mentioned similarities between the Grammy-winning artist's tours, with one posting: "No shade the Vie tour just gives scarlet with different outfits."

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He was socially awkward and expelled from school for poor grades - his work badly affected by a bout of scarlet fever.

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Smith, who was born in 1946, was often bed-ridden as a young girl, afflicted with tuberculosis and scarlet fever, along with all the usual childhood ailments.

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A dense, scarlet mound of tomato in the center.

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Related Words

• cardinal 
• coral 
• crimson 
• flaming 
• glowing 
• maroon 
• rose 
• wine