scarlet

1 of 2

noun

scar·​let ˈskär-lət 

1

: scarlet cloth or clothes

2

: any of various bright reds

scarlet

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of the color scarlet

2

a

: grossly and glaringly offensive

… sinning in flagrant and scarlet fashion …

—G. W. Johnson

b

[from the use of the word in Isaiah 1:18 & Revelation 17:1–6 (King James Version)] : of, characterized by, or associated with sexual immorality

a scarlet woman

Examples of scarlet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Under the artistic direction of Igi Lola Ayedun, with production by La Mode en Images, the space became a study in scarlet for the evening. — Alison S. Cohn, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

For that occasion, Zoë paired a slinky scarlet gown with a matching belt and pumps, wearing her dark hair in a sleek bun. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026

Adjective

The standout dish, however, was the juicy scarlet prawns on a bed of creamy, lemony Portuguese rice. — Julia Wytrazek, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026

Lovato’s dress, courtesy of Fanci Club, was a deep shade of eggplant purple and topped off with a scarlet-red lace bralette, making for a brazen club-friendly outfit only enhanced by the even more noticeable shoes. — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English scarlat, scarlet, from Anglo-French escarlet, from Medieval Latin scarlata, from Persian saqalāt, a kind of rich cloth

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing scarlet

• scarlet fever
• scarlet king snake
• scarlet letter
• scarlet pimpernel
• scarlet runner bean
• scarlet sage
• scarlet tanager

Rhymes for scarlet

• carlot
• harlot
• starlet
• starlit
• varlet

Kids Definition

scarlet

noun

scar·​let

ˈskär-lət

1

: scarlet cloth or clothes

2

: a bright red

scarlet adjective