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

At the recent “Waiting to Exhale” screening, patrons walked down a red carpet to get to the theater entrance.

From Los Angeles Times

After doffing their shoes, presumably to protect the plush, vibrantly red carpet that covers the theater’s floor, audience members take seats arranged in concentric circles.

From The Wall Street Journal

O'Farrell said her phone had "exploded" with messages, mainly with questions around her outfit of choice for the red carpet.

From BBC

A month later, he told Buzzfeed on a red carpet that he had been misunderstood.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2010, when I had my first series leading role in “Perfect Couples,” my parents bought a red carpet and rolled it out in front of their house and invited friends over to watch.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• welcome mat