crimson

American  

[krim-zuhn, -suhn] / ˈkrɪm zən, -sən /

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 British  

/ 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

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; kermes; carmine, cramoisy

Example Sentences

Hints of pink eye shadow, dark eyeliner, red pigmented eyebrows and crimson lipstick complete the transformation — the next “national treasure” has taken the stage.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

Chase Infiniti, who plays Leonardo DiCaprio's daughter in One Battle After Another, wore a sculpted, deep crimson dress which flared out beautifully at the bottom.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

Up close, the bright crimson relief-sculpture is revealed to feature hand-brushed red enamel paint over paper.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025

A sea of yellow—ocher, dandelion, goldenrod—seems to support a single tree backed by a dark vacuum, but as our eyes adjust, we realize a barn in deepest alizarin crimson dominates the scene.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

He twisted and saw a small bright-eyed snake, crimson in the fire's glow, with its fangs sunk deep into the back of his leather boot.

From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman

Related Words

• maroon