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

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

The strikes were known as Operation Sindoor in a reference to the red vermilion that newly married Hindu women wear in their hair to symbolize love and devotion. —Mushtaq Yusufzai, NBC news, 6 May 2025

The vintage industrial interior has been painted a vivid vermilion, marine memorabilia hangs on the walls and those photos of fishing boats and crews — those are owner John Schnaubelt’s family. —John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025

Locally known as hatha jodi (joined hands) in India, the root is highly sought after by consumers, who often mark the roots with vermilion and place them near religious idols. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024

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