# crimson

/ˈkɹɪmzən/ (US) · /kɹˈɪmsən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/crimson
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. deep red colour

adjective · CEFR B2 · Literary

having a deep, rich red colour.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. the colour itself

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

a deep red colour that looks a bit purple.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to blush or turn red

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to turn deep red, usually because you are embarrassed or angry.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The leaves turned a beautiful crimson in the autumn.
- The athlete's face turned crimson as he struggled to lift the heavy weights during the final set.
- As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky was painted in shades of crimson and gold, reflecting brilliantly off the calm waters of the lake.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.