red ink

noun

1

: a business loss : deficit

2

: the condition of showing a business loss

Examples of red ink in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Are there any dates on the calendar that hospitals ought to circle in bold red ink? — Mike McRae 08, New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2026

Trump’s expensive war against Iran has only added to the sea of red ink. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 31 Aug. 2026

So, the question is whether the politicians who claim to be alarmed by the crossing of this threshold will stand up and turn the tide of red ink heading our way. — Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026

The only reason for optimism should be material actions to rein in the sea of red ink. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from the use of red ink in financial statements to indicate a loss

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for red ink

• bethink
• downlink
• groupthink
• hoodwink
• rethink
• uplink
• blink
• brink
• chink
• cinque
• clink
• dink

Kids Definition

red ink

noun

1

: a business loss

2

: the condition of showing a business loss