crimson

1 of 3

noun

crim·​son ˈkrim-zən How to pronounce crimson (audio)
Synonyms of crimsonnext
: any of several deep purplish reds

crimson

2 of 3

adjective

: of the color crimson

crimson

3 of 3

verb

crimsoned; crimsoning; crimsons

transitive verb

: to make crimson

intransitive verb

: to become crimson
especially : blush

Synonyms of crimson

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Verb

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Examples of crimson in a Sentence

Verb he crimsoned the minute he realized the foolishness of what he'd said
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The ticket allotment is split evenly, creating a sea of Florida orange and blue on one side and Georgia crimson and black on the other. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 And a tablecloth reveals dense botanicals in a saturated hues of browns and crimson. — Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Entertainment options abound on the lower level, where a crimson velvet theater showcases a fireplace hood signed over the years by iconic stars like Elvis Presley and Rita Moreno. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2026 Her trademark curls were nowhere to be seen, instead replaced by a pin-straight style in a vivid shade of crimson red, crafted by hairstylist Virginie Pineda. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
Riding the rails gives you time to slow down and look at the canopy’s changing hues, from chartreuse to crimson. — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025 Rhubarb is primarily depicted in various shades of red, but depending on the variety, its color can range from pale green to crimson. — Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024 See All Example Sentences for crimson

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Adjective, and Verb

Middle English crimisin, from Old Spanish cremesín, from Arabic qirmizī, from qirmiz kermes

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1609, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of crimson was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing crimson

Browse Nearby Words

crimpy
crimson
crimson antimony
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crimson.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crimson. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

crimson

1 of 2 noun
crim·​son ˈkrim-zən How to pronounce crimson (audio)
: a deep purplish red
crimson adjective

crimson

2 of 2 verb
: to make or become crimson
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