Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Of a vivid red color with a slight orange tinge: "scarlet" describes a bright, intense red color that may have a subtle orange undertone, often compared to the color of blood, ripe cherries, tomatoes, or rubies.

2. Noun:

   • A vivid red color with an orange tinge: "scarlet" refers to the specific hue itself, a variable shade of bright red that can lean slightly toward orange.
   • Cloth or clothing of this color: Historically, "scarlet" can also refer to fabric or garments dyed this distinctive red color.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • She wore a scarlet dress to the gala.
  • The scarlet leaves of the maple tree stood out against the green forest.
• Noun:
  • The artist mixed red and orange to create the perfect scarlet.
  • In the 16th century, scarlet was an expensive dye, often worn by nobility.

Advanced Usage

• "Scarlet with rage/embarrassment": Used to describe someone's face becoming a deep, flushed red due to a strong emotion.
  • He turned scarlet with embarrassment when he realized his mistake.
• "Scarlet woman": (Archaic, often derogatory) A term historically used to refer to a woman perceived as promiscuous or adulterous.
  • The novel's character was shunned as a scarlet woman.

Variants and Related Words

• Scarletly (adv., rare): In a scarlet manner.
• Scarletness (n., rare): The quality or state of being scarlet.

Synonyms

• Crimson: A deep, rich red color, often with a slight blue undertone (whereas scarlet leans toward orange).
• Vermilion: A brilliant red or scarlet pigment originally made from powdered mineral cinnabar.
• Ruby: A deep red color resembling the precious gemstone.

Idioms and Phrases

• "Scarlet letter": A symbol of shame or public disgrace. This originates from Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel , where the protagonist is forced to wear a red letter 'A' for "adulteress."
  • The corruption scandal became a political scarlet letter for the party.
• "Scarlet pimpernel": Refers to a daring, elusive hero or rescuer, from the title character of Baroness Orczy's novel.
  • The journalist, like a scarlet pimpernel, kept uncovering secrets while avoiding capture.

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

Noun

1. a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge