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

While on the runway the dress was blue and black with a trompe-l’œil design, Robbie’s look leaned into more Victorian-era flourishes, with a laced strapless bodice and an onyx and scarlet red gradient petal skirt, striking colors which borrowed from other styles in the show. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026

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

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