# vermilion

/vɝˈmɪɫjən/ (US) · /vɜːmˈɪliən/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vermilion
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

a bright, deep red color. It was a very popular color for paint and jewelry in the past.

For teachers: a vivid, deep red color, typically associated with the pigment cinnabar. Often used in historical contexts to describe decorative arts or specific types of glass.

## Examples

- The old palace walls were painted in bright vermilion.
- The artist used vermilion to create the intense red tones in the portrait's background.
- The stained glass window features a striking vermilion hue that deepens as the light shifts from morning to midday.

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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.