russet

American  

[ruhs-it] / ˈrʌs ɪt /

noun

• russets
  plural

1. yellowish brown, light brown, or reddish brown.

2. a coarse reddish-brown or brownish homespun cloth formerly used for clothing.

3. any of various apples that have a rough brownish skin and ripen in the autumn.

4. a brownish, roughened area on fruit, resulting from diseases, insects, or spraying.

5. russet Burbank.

6. finished leather that is not yet polished or colored.

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adjective

1. yellowish-brown, light-brown, or reddish-brown.

2. made of russet.

russet British  

/ ˈrʌsɪt /

noun

1. brown with a yellowish or reddish tinge

2. 1. a rough homespun fabric, reddish-brown in colour, formerly in use for clothing

   2. ( as modifier )

      a russet coat

3. any of various apples with rough brownish-red skins

4. abnormal roughness on fruit, caused by parasites, pesticides, or frost

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adjective

1. (of tanned hide leather) dressed ready for staining

2. archaic simple; homely; rustic

   a russet life

3. of the colour russet

   russet hair

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• russetish
  adjective
• russetlike
  adjective
• russety
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• russets
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of russet

1225–75; Middle English < Old French rousset, diminutive of rous reddish brown, red (of hair); see roux

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Explanation

Use the word russet to describe things that are a reddish-brown color, like autumn leaves or your cousin's pretty auburn hair. The adjective russet is great for talking about a particular color — in fact, the most common kind of Idaho potato is the Russet Burbank potato, named for its russet-colored skin. In apples, the word russet doesn't apply to color, but instead to a roughness in the skin. Another meaning of russet is a cheap, rough blanket worn in the Middle Ages by poor people. The root is the Latin word for "red," russus.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

russet russets

Peeled russet potatoes, lettuce and three cups of water are then thrown into the mix, boiled and, finally, simmered.

From Salon ● Jul. 25, 2026

But for some, the true treat will turn out to be the classic oval or oblong-shaped russet spud, good for baking, frying or just plain admiring.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025

Continued warm weather meant autumn came late this year, but it brought an explosion of colour with some spectacular displays ranging from gold through to russet red, like here on the Wallington Estate in Northumberland.

From BBC ● Dec. 26, 2024

Classic Jewish latkes for Hanukkah are made with russet potatoes, occasionally Yukon golds, and are usually very simply seasoned with salt, pepper and onion.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 4, 2023

Their russet hair looked almost gray in the color-stealing light of the moon, but each time they passed beneath a street lamp the auburn sheen glowed like an ember.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

This is for a couple of reasons - they have less natural starch than russets, and the starch is what helps them get crispy.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 4, 2023

Also, sweet potatoes, as the name suggests, have more natural sugar than russets, which can cause the pancakes to burn, so make sure not to turn the heat up too high.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 4, 2023

You can go over the top, but at the end of the day, all you need is butter, cream, salt, and pepper to make russets or Yukon gold potatoes taste like a warm hug.

From Salon ● Nov. 12, 2021

You’ll discover the fancifully striped Red St. Lawrence from Maine, the sleek Arkansas Black, the ruby Hidden Rose from Oregon, the pearly Yellow Transparent from Russia and several tortured knobbed russets from Sussex, England.

From New York Times ● Oct. 4, 2021

“They won’t be a-getting here for months,” Hildy says, passing me another serving of mashed russets.

From "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness

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