scarlet

1 of 2

noun

scar·​let ˈskär-lət 

1

: scarlet cloth or clothes

2

: any of various bright reds

scarlet

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of the color scarlet

2

a

: grossly and glaringly offensive

… sinning in flagrant and scarlet fashion …

—G. W. Johnson

b

[from the use of the word in Isaiah 1:18 & Revelation 17:1–6 (King James Version)] : of, characterized by, or associated with sexual immorality

a scarlet woman

Examples of scarlet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sweater nails feel cozy and cheerful in the winter, especially in a shocking shade of scarlet. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026

Paltrow arrived at The Hollywood Reporter’s annual Women in Entertainment Gala on Wednesday in Beverly Hills with a pointed take on the palette, grounding her look in a pair of scarlet stilettos built on a long, tapered point and a thin, high heel. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 Dec. 2025

Adjective

Bella sported two looks, including a scarlet set of lingerie complete with a lacy garter belt and matching thigh-highs. —Hannah Malach, InStyle, 19 Jan. 2026

Favoring full sun, scarlet oaks grow best in dry, sandy soil and are well-suited for USDA Zones 4 to 9. —Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 16 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English scarlat, scarlet, from Anglo-French escarlet, from Medieval Latin scarlata, from Persian saqalāt, a kind of rich cloth

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing scarlet

• scarlet fever
• scarlet king snake
• scarlet letter
• scarlet pimpernel
• scarlet runner bean
• scarlet sage
• scarlet tanager

Rhymes for scarlet

• carlot
• harlot
• starlet
• starlit
• varlet

Kids Definition

scarlet

noun

scar·​let

ˈskär-lət

1

: scarlet cloth or clothes

2

: a bright red

scarlet adjective