red carpet

American  

noun

1. a red strip of carpet placed on the ground for high-ranking dignitaries to walk on when entering or leaving a building, vehicle, or the like.

2. 1. an area abutting the entrance to a building, usually carpeted in red, where celebrities gather and walk before participating in or taking their seats at a big event.

      The winning actress had of course been interviewed on the red carpet before the Academy Awards.

   2. the activity that goes on in this area.

      Six reporters will be covering the red carpet at the charity's annual gala.

3. a display of courtesy or deference, as that shown to persons of high station.

   The visiting prince was treated to the red carpet in Rome.

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red carpet British  

noun

1. a strip of red carpeting laid for important dignitaries to walk on when arriving or departing

2. 1. deferential treatment accorded to a person of importance

   2. ( as modifier )

      the returning hero had a red-carpet reception

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red carpet Idioms  

1. Honorary treatment, lavish hospitality, as in We'll have to get out the red carpet for the President's visit. This term comes from the literal practice of rolling out a carpet to welcome a royal or other esteemed guest, and indeed is often put as roll out the red carpet. [Early 1900s]

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Other Word Forms

• red-carpet adjective

Etymology

Origin of red carpet

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Frazier and Turner both say they get warm thanks from actors after they see a vintage red carpet that shows them with a relative who has since died.

From Los Angeles Times

The actors stepped onto the red carpet on Thursday night for the Belfast premiere of No Ordinary Heist.

From BBC

Paul herself spent most of the past week publicizing the show, walking the red carpet at the Oscars and appearing on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

From The Wall Street Journal

From slipping on his tux to greeting celebs on the red carpet, here are the highlights.

From Los Angeles Times

She walked the red carpet at the Oscars and appeared on “Good Morning America.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• welcome mat