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

The rolling mountain landscape becomes an undulating patchwork quilt of searing scarlets, terracottas, vermillions, and more. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026

Founded by German immigrants, the town sees its brick streets and historic wineries come alive when framed by gold and scarlet. — Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026

Adjective

After a series of slouchy suits and bustier dresses in turquoise and scarlet silks, the show exploded to black, culminating in a series of bravado gowns. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

The pairing was seen on the Prada runway, which featured a scarlet top paired with lilac balloon mini shorts in the spring-summer 2026 collection. — Elise Fabre, Glamour, 5 Sep. 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