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

Every fall, this region of the Appalachian Mountains puts on an incredible display as shades of scarlet, gold, and orange cascade over the rolling peaks between North Carolina and Tennessee. —Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025

The leaves on the park’s deciduous trees erupt into every shade of deep scarlet, fiery orange, and golden yellow—and visitors have front-row seats to see it all. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025

Adjective

Kendall Jenner wore the same City sandal on repeat during her late-September New York visit, while Lori Harvey stepped out in the scarlet Dune in July and the City in August. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025

New varieties are more compact with gorgeous red-pink or scarlet blooms. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025

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