vermilion

noun

ver·​mil·​ion vər-ˈmil-yən 

variants or less commonly vermillion

1

: a vivid reddish orange

2

: a bright red pigment consisting of mercuric sulfide

broadly : any of various red pigments

Examples of vermilion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For instance, their lipstick may be too dark for their skin tone and may be applied beyond the natural vermilion line in an effort to give the lips a fuller appearance, instead looking like the exaggerated mouth of a clown. —Judith Martin, Mercury News, 20 June 2025

Joseph Hoang of Biloxi, Mississippi, caught a vermilion snapper using an electric reel. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2025

This vibrant vermilion maxi skirt is just what my vacation wardrobe has been missing, thanks to its playful shape and bold shade. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2025

Sindoor is the Hindi for the traditional red vermilion worn by married Hindu women on their forehead symbolising protection and marital commitment. —Staff, USA Today, 7 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vermilioun, borrowed from Anglo-French vermeilloun, from vermeil "bright red, red color" (going back to Late Latin vermiculus "bright red color (obtained from kermes)," going back to Latin, "insect larva, grub," from vermis "worm" + -culus, diminutive suffix) + -on, diminutive or particularizing suffix, going back to Latin -ō, -ōn-, suffix of persons with a prominent feature — more at worm entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for vermilion

• castilian
• civilian
• cotillion
• pavilion
• postilion
• quadrillion
• reptilian
• vermillion
• billion
• million
• pillion
• trillion

Kids Definition

vermilion

noun

ver·​mil·​ion

variants also vermillion

vər-ˈmil-yən 

: a bright reddish orange