crimson

noun

crim·son | \ˈkrim-zən

\

Definition of crimson

(Entry 1 of 3)

: any of several deep purplish reds

crimson

adjective

Definition of crimson (Entry 2 of 3)

: of the color crimson

crimson

verb

crimsoned; crimsoning; crimsons

Definition of crimson (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

: to make crimson

intransitive verb

: to become crimson especially : blush

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about crimson

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for crimson

Synonyms: Verb

bloom, blush, color, flush, glow, redden

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

Much like the day before, educators and supporters came wearing crimson and carrying shade umbrellas, homemade signs and bottled water to stand in the 90-plus-degree heat. — Dustin Gardiner, azcentral, "4,000 protesters return to Arizona's Capitol for second day of teacher walkout," 27 Apr. 2018 After one breakout season in crimson, the point guard is moving on to become the program's first draft pick in a decade. — Michael Casagrande, AL.com, "How Collin Sexton remembers Alabama season, what comes next in NBA," 1 May 2018 Curry on Fire’s cauliflower is a nuclear orange and crimson hue, the result of slather of turmeric and chili paste. — Michael Nagrant, RedEye Chicago, "Worth a trip: Manchurian Cauliflower from Curry on Fire," 15 Nov. 2017 And the lucky viewers abroad may have the chance to see both celestial bodies enrobed in crimson at once. — Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, "The Century’s Longest Lunar Eclipse Will Shroud the Moon This Month," 2 July 2018 And then there are his shocking bright talons, painted crimson, cyan, or marigold yellow depending on the frame, which are the proverbial cherry on top of his vivid, high-impact looks. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "Let Troye Sivan's "Bloom" Video Be Your Pride Month Makeup Inspiration," 6 June 2018 From her auburn curls, down to her probably perfectly pedicured feet that girl is always dripping in crimson. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "This is the Exact Red Lip Color Cheryl Blossom Always Wears on Riverdale," 5 Dec. 2017 This was the second occasion for which the human rights attorney donned a strapless design—the first was a custom crimson Maison Margiela Artisanal dress by John Galliano. — Edward Barsamian, Vogue, "Amal Clooney’s Met Gala Pants (and Foil Train) Are Queen Elizabeth–Approved," 7 May 2018 Chloë Sevigny swiped on a similar shade, hers coupled with a beribboned, low-slung ponytail, while Elsa Hosk’s immaculate crimson spurred a wash of rubicund shadow at lid-level—a coordination echoed in a plummy hue by Lupita Nyong’o. — Calin Van Paris, Vogue, "The Best Beauty Looks on the Cannes Red Carpet: Kristen Stewart’s Clever Skin Reveals (and More!)," 21 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Among the many exhibits is Queen Parr’s privy, which has a velvet canopy and a seat of crimson velvet for the royal posterior (adults £16.50; 20 percent discount with National Trust membership). — New York Times, "36 Hours in the Cotswolds," 17 May 2018 Rather than opting for a kittenish flick of liner or a fire-engine shade of crimson lipstick, Chopra went for a soft bordeaux stain diffused at the edges that played up her pillowy mouth, while promising to require little maintenance. — Calin Van Paris, Vogue, "Priyanka Chopra Has the Perfect Lipstick for a Night Out with Nick Jonas," 13 June 2018 Awash in crimson rays, Jordyn Woods readied her summer glow with a brightening LED light therapy, as elsewhere, Ashley Graham took her workout to the streets with a strengthening sled push exercise. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "The 10 Best Beauty Looks of the Week: Kendall Jenner, Victoria Beckham, and More," 13 May 2018 Clark donned the crimson and white from 2008-2013, playing for three different Freedom managers over his six year career. — Cincinnati.com, "Freedom players head to all-star game," 10 July 2018 There is a lot of humanity in the humble images of heroic struggles where the sea turns crimson and dying whales spout blood in sweet, thought-balloon-like shapes. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "New England museums to visit this summer and fall," 4 July 2018 The Air Jordan 1, available July 21, recasts the retro, high-top shoe in rich red or white leather with a crimson tongue concealed behind a key-ring zip (as worn by Wintour in the video, above). — Monica Kim, Vogue, "This Is the Ultimate Fashion Sneaker: Air Jordans, Inspired by Anna Wintour," 12 July 2018 Next came Joanna, dressed in a gold-and-crimson robe, her blond hair gleaming in the morning sun. — Anne Thériault, Longreads, "Queens of Infamy: Joanna of Naples," 3 July 2018 My butler returned with a bottle of champagne and a plate of crimson watermelon. — Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, "Why Staying on the Cruise Ship Can Sometimes Beat Sightseeing," 15 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crimson.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for crimson

Noun

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

Adjective

see crimson entry 1

Verb

see crimson entry 1

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about crimson

Dictionary Entries near crimson

crimson antimony

crimson climbing rata

Statistics for crimson

Last Updated

11 Oct 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for crimson

The first known use of crimson was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for crimson

crimson

noun

English Language Learners Definition of crimson

: a deep purplish-red color

See the full definition for crimson in the English Language Learners Dictionary

crimson

noun

crim·son | \ˈkrim-zən

\

Kids Definition of crimson

: a deep purplish red

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

mawkish

exaggeratedly or childishly emotional

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz

Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games