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

Last fall, Hargitay also sported a thigh-high slit style, wearing a scarlet off-the-shoulder gown by Taller Marmo at the Kering Foundation's fourth annual Caring for Women Dinner in New York City. —Hannah Malach, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026

These slow-growing trees are reliable, come in an astounding variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and offer vivid bright scarlet, crimson, orange, and yellow fall foliage. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026

Adjective

There's one called scarlet fire, which is deep rose pink blooms. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026

Home to thousands of plants and more than 400 bird species, like the elusive quetzal and scarlet macaw, the region beckons to travelers with its varied topography and wildlife. —Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 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