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

Crystal fringe will throw off flashes of cobalt, crimson and amber before disappearing back into shadow. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 2 July 2026

Shades of crimson, hot pink, butter yellow, and tangerine come together in this stunning manicure that feels like a Pucci sunset. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 29 June 2026

Adjective

The physical strain is immense—his face flushes crimson under the regalia—but his consciousness is no longer entirely his own. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026

Its restaurant, Gold Rush Steak House—all wagon-wheel chandeliers—serves steaks in a room with enough crimson velvet to upholster a theater. — Air Mail, 4 July 2026

Verb

Kalen DeBoer went from hot seat to crimson ottoman at the end of September, when No. 17 Alabama pushed past No. 5 Georgia at Sanford Stadium. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 3 Dec. 2025

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

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