Definition

Adjective: Marking a particularly significant, happy, or memorable day or event. The term originates from the practice of printing holidays and festivals in red ink on calendars, distinguishing them from ordinary days printed in black.

Usage

Used attributively (before a noun) to describe a day or occasion that is especially noteworthy, joyful, or auspicious.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • Graduation was a red-letter day for the entire family.
  • The company's 50th anniversary is a red-letter occasion we will celebrate in style.
  • She received the award on a red-letter night she will never forget.

Advanced Usage

• "red-letter day": This is the most common and fixed collocation. It specifically denotes a day that is memorable because of a particularly happy or significant event.
  • The birth of my daughter was a true red-letter day in my life.

Variants and Related Words

• Red-lettering (noun, rare): The action or practice of marking in red, or the state of being a red-letter occasion.
  • The red-lettering of saints' days is common in some religious calendars.

Synonyms

• Memorable: Worth remembering or easily remembered.
• Notable: Worthy of attention or notice; remarkable.
• Significant: Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention.
• Auspicious: Conducive to success; favorable.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• Red-letter day: A memorably important or happy occasion.
  • Getting the job offer was a red-letter day for him.

Adjective

1. memorable for being a special occasion
   • on red-letter nights a large gathering greeted the celebrity