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vermeil

American  
[vur-mil, -meyl, ver-mey] / ˈvɜr mɪl, -meɪl, vərˈmeɪ /

noun

  1. vermilion red.

  2. metal, as silver or bronze, that has been gilded.


adjective

  1. of the color vermilion.

vermeil British  
/ ˈvɜːmeɪl /

noun

  1. gilded silver, bronze, or other metal, used esp in the 19th century

    1. vermilion

    2. ( as adjective )

      vermeil shoes

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of vermeil

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French < Late Latin vermiculus kermes (insect and dye), Latin: larva, grub; see vermicule

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.

See Examples For:

Place settings included more than 250 pieces of vermeil from the White House collection, alongside hand-painted menus.

From BBC Apr. 28, 2026

The jewelry brand uses recycled metals such as 18-karat gold vermeil, 18-karat gold plating and sterling silver for a new drop, dubbed Molten Pearl, that’s both trendy and timeless.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 21, 2022

Well worth a grin: silly sterling silver and gold vermeil twisty straws from Tiffany ’s , a charmingly extravagant surprise.

From The Wall Street Journal Jan. 31, 2018

The Paris mint sells the basic model in gold vermeil for 180 euros.

From New York Times Aug. 2, 2013

Those dark eyes, with vermeil corners—thus with trembling moisture dewed, When king Nala saw, and gazed on—to the sorrowful he spake.

From Nala and Damayanti and Other Poems by Milman, Henry Hart

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