Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having a deep, vivid red color resembling that of fresh blood: The primary meaning describes a specific shade of red that is intense, dark, and similar to the color of blood, rubies, or ripe cherries.

Usage

• As a descriptive adjective: Used directly before a noun to describe its color.
  • The artist used a blood-red paint for the dramatic sunset.
  • She wore a blood-red dress to the gala.
• As a predicate adjective: Used after a linking verb like 'be', 'seem', or 'become'.
  • The sky turned blood-red as the volcano erupted.
  • The wine in the glass was blood-red.

Advanced Usage

• Figurative/Evocative Use: Often employed in literature, poetry, and descriptive writing to evoke strong imagery, emotion, or a sense of danger, passion, or violence.
  • The blood-red horizon foretold a day of battle.
  • His anger was a blood-red fury.

Variants and Related Words

• Bloodred: A less common, closed compound form with the same meaning.
• Crimson: A deep red color inclining toward purple.
• Ruby: A deep, pure red color like that of the gemstone.
• Scarlet: A bright red color with a slight orange tinge.
• Carmine: A vivid red color, sometimes with a purple bias.

Synonyms

• Crimson
• Ruby
• Cherry-red
• Carmine
• Deep red

Antonyms

• Pale
• Colorless
• White
• Pastel (e.g., pastel pink)

Related Phrases and Idioms

(Note: 'Blood-red' itself is not typically part of a phrasal verb. It is a compound adjective.) - Red as blood: A simile directly comparing something's color to blood. - The rose was as red as blood. - To see red: An idiom meaning to become very angry. - When he heard the insult, he saw red. (This idiom relates to the color/emotion but does not use the compound "blood-red").

Adjective

1. of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies