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

That mammoth chunk of red ink is due to an accounting charge related to convertible notes, but the company’s losing money nonetheless. — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026

But before returning to the desert planet of Arrakis, the studio has to mop up a lot of red ink. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

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

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