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

There are two sides of the red carpet: The one everyone sees at home with megawatt stars, and the one behind them where other ticket holders walk up a massive staircase, also draped in scarlet, where staff members politely and sternly moved everyone along as people lingered to take selfies. —Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024

Stormi complemented her mother in shades of scarlet–notably a riff on look 21 from the collection, given a miniature twist. —Alex Kessler, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2024

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

Kids Definition

scarlet

noun

scar·​let

ˈskär-lət

1

: scarlet cloth or clothes

2

: a bright red

scarlet adjective