Word
crimson
Phoneticscrim·son, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɹɪmzən/
UK/kɹˈɪmsən/
Definitions
01deep red colour
B2 · Upper Intermediate Literary
adj. having a deep, rich red colour.
adj. possessing a deep, vivid red hue, often associated with blood or high-quality dyes.
“The autumn leaves turned a beautiful crimson before falling to the ground.”
“The sunset painted the horizon in shades of crimson and gold, casting long shadows across the valley floor.”
Synonyms
02the colour itself
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Literary
n. a deep red colour that looks a bit purple.
n. a deep, slightly bluish red pigment or hue.
“The queen was dressed in a robe of deep crimson.”
“The artist used a touch of crimson to highlight the velvet texture of the subject's cloak.”
Synonyms
03to blush or turn red
C2 · Proficiency Literary
v. to turn deep red, usually because you are embarrassed or angry.
v. to become crimson in colour; to blush deeply. Intransitive in this sense.
“His face crimsoned when the teacher called his name in front of the class.”
“She felt her cheeks crimson as the audience erupted in laughter at her minor slip of the tongue.”
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Republican first lady Nancy Reagan was so fond of wearing crimson that her favorite shade was often called “Reagan Red”.” “Base yourself in Torla-Ordesa for easy access to hikes taking in the crimson, marigold and russet tones of the leaves.” Etymology
PIE word *kʷŕ̥mis Late Middle English cremesyn, from obsolete French cramoisin or Old Spanish cremesín, from Arabic قِرْمِز (qirmiz), from Classical Persian کرمست (kirmist), from Middle Persian; see Proto-Indo-Iranian *kŕ̥miš. Cognate with Sanskrit कृमिज (kṛmija). Doublet of kermes; also see carmine.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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