red carpet

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.

red carpet

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

Other Word Forms

• red-carpet adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of red carpet¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

While organizers deemed the two-day ceremony too far on the timeline to cancel, the red carpet prior to the broadcasted event was canceled.

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Variety shared its account of Brown and Harbour gamely presenting a chummy front in a recent red carpet appearance.

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On the red carpet earlier in the night she told me "Win or lose, we're on the booze, so I'm having a good night anyway."

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I rented a boy’s tuxedo, Lynn wore a gown, we got a limousine and stepped out onto the red carpet together.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Here’s a look at what the stars are wearing on the red carpet.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• welcome mat