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

These vivid spring blooms in shades of burgundy, red, vermilion and hot pink create a warm, rich tapestry that would light up any garden. — Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 3 May 2026

One of the men smeared our foreheads with sandalwood paste, vermilion, and rice. — Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026

Excavators found three skeletons, arrow points, a package of vermilion, a stone pipe, a 16-inch knife, small white beads and a mirror set in an iron frame, according to the article. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026

These gorgeous flowers bloom hard all season in rich chocolate, deep blue, vermilion red, glowing orange, gold and dark purple with striking bicolors. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026

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