crimson

1 of 3

noun

crim·​son ˈkrim-zən 

: any of several deep purplish reds

crimson

2 of 3

adjective

: of the color crimson

crimson

3 of 3

verb

crimsoned; crimsoning; crimsons

transitive verb

: to make crimson

intransitive verb

: to become crimson

especially : blush

Synonyms of crimson

Verb

• blush
• glow
• flush

Examples of crimson in a Sentence

Verb

he crimsoned the minute he realized the foolishness of what he'd said

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

One look paired a classic blue poplin shirt with an embellished crimson skirt. — Minty Mellon, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026

Back outside, the strangest part of the scene might have been how normal everything seemed to the people wearing crimson and blue. — Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026

Adjective

In their offices, the sweeping staircase is hung with padded crimson velvet, and a colorful Venetian glass chandelier refracts rainbow light in a dining room lined and curtained in dazzling Cruella DeVil zebra stripes. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2026

Baby Jay strutted around while hundreds of Kansas fans dressed in crimson and blue crowded around them. — Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026

Verb

Riding the rails gives you time to slow down and look at the canopy’s changing hues, from chartreuse to crimson. — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025

Rhubarb is primarily depicted in various shades of red, but depending on the variety, its color can range from pale green to crimson. — Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Adjective, and Verb

Middle English crimisin, from Old Spanish cremesín, from Arabic qirmizī, from qirmiz kermes

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1609, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing crimson

• crimson clover

Kids Definition

crimson

1 of 2 noun

crim·​son ˈkrim-zən 

: a deep purplish red

crimson adjective

crimson

2 of 2 verb

: to make or become crimson