reddish
Americanadjective
adjective
Usage
What does reddish mean? Reddish describes something that is somewhat red or tinted red, as in After washing my shirt hundreds of times, it’s gone from red to merely reddish. The color red is a primary color at one end of the visible spectrum and is the color of human blood. Something that is reddish is not fully red. Example: The sky turned a reddish color as the moon began obscuring the sun.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of reddish
First recorded in 1350–1400, reddish is from the Middle English word redische. See red 1, -ish 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Antares is a bright reddish star that represents the heart of the constellation Scorpius.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 3, 2026
In many areas the Moon took on a reddish appearance.
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026
It will gradually turn a reddish, copper color as sunlight bends and filters through the atmosphere to fall on the otherwise-obscured part of the moon.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
In the Appalachian region stretching through the US state of West Virginia, the reddish water flowing out of retired coal mines is acidic, full of heavy metals and toxic for the environment.
From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026
“Excuse me. I didn’t mean to startle you. I was noticing your hair. It has reddish highlights when the sun hits it.”
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
