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

“Understanding that Sam and Cat, the characters, also had to play Sam and Cat on the red carpet, and Sam and Cat in any appearance that they made.”

From Los Angeles Times

Anyway, DiCaprio got a little more animated at that moment than he was on the red carpet, but it took going to a commercial break for him to go truly meme-worthy.

From Los Angeles Times

After that, Smart alluded to some of the sentiments she shared on the red carpet before the broadcast.

From Salon

It didn’t appear the two men were discussing red carpet arrivals at the Golden Globes.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I said my rant on the red carpet,” said Jean Smart, a forever winner for “Hacks.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• welcome mat