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

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

Kelp towers above me, collared with fluffy crimson algae. —Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025

Flower colors include white, pink, crimson, and bi-color selections. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025

Adjective

Joy Behar called out The View cohost Ana Navarro's crimson getup at the Hot Topics table. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025

Parker, dressed in a flowing crimson concoction, played with the train of the dress as photographers snapped away. —Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025

Verb

The paddle took me along this tranquil, ambling waterway, littered with sea hibiscus flowers in various stages of their daily transition from pale yellow to crimson. —Naomi Tomky, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 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