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

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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 simplicity of the shoes paired well with her crimson-red sequined and beaded ensemble that landed right at her ankles. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026 During fall, a train window serves as the perfect perch for leaf-peeping in river valleys aglow in crimson and gold or passing through small towns that look like they’ve been plucked from a Hallmark movie. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Midwest Living, 15 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 28 Oct. 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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