Word forms: plural reds, comparative redder, superlative reddest
1. colour
Something that is red is the colour of blood or fire.
...a bunch of red roses.
She had small hands with nails painted bright red.
2. adjective
If you say that someone's face is red, you mean that it is redder than its normal colour, because they are embarrassed, angry, or out of breath.
With a bright red face I was forced to admit that I had no real idea.
She was red with shame.
Synonyms: flushed, embarrassed, blushing, beetroot More Synonyms of red
3. adjective
You describe someone's hair as red when it is between red and brown in colour.
...a girl with red hair.
He is still vain enough to dye his hair red.
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Your red blood cells or red corpuscles are the cells in your blood which carry oxygen around your body.
5. variable noun
You can refer to red wine as red.
The spicy flavours in these dishes call for reds rather than whites.
Synonyms: red wine More Synonyms of red
6. countable noun
If you refer to someone as a red or a Red, you disapprove of the fact that they are a communist, a socialist, or have left-wing ideas.
[informal, disapproval]
They're all so terrified of Reds.
Synonyms: communist, socialist, revolutionary, militant More Synonyms of red
7.
See in the red
8.
See to see red
9. like a red rag to a bull
More Synonyms of red
red in British English1
(rɛd)
noun
1.
any of a group of colours, such as that of a ripe tomato or fresh blood, that lie at one end of the visible spectrum, next to orange, and are perceived by the eye when light in the approximate wavelength range 740–620 nanometres falls on the retina. Red is the complementary colour of cyan and forms a set of primary colours with blue and green
▶ Related adjectives: rubicund, ruddy
2.
a pigment or dye of or producing these colours
3.
red cloth or clothing
dressed in red
4.
a red ball in snooker, billiards, etc
5.
(in roulette and other gambling games) one of two colours on which players may place even bets, the other being black
6. Also called: inner archery
a red ring on a target, between the blue and the gold, scoring seven points
7. in the red
8. see red
adjectiveWord forms: redder or reddest
9.
of the colour red
10.
reddish in colour or having parts or marks that are reddish
red hair
red deer
11.
having the face temporarily suffused with blood, being a sign of anger, shame, etc
12.
(of the complexion) rosy; florid
13.
(of the eyes) bloodshot
14.
(of the hands) stained with blood, as after committing murder
15.
bloody or violent
red revolution
16.
(of wine) made from black grapes and coloured by their skins
17.
denoting the highest degree of urgency in an emergency; used by the police and the army and informally (esp in the phrase red alert)
18. US
relating to, supporting, or representing the Republican Party
Compare blue (sense 24)
verbWord forms: reds, redding or redded
19. another word for redden
Derived forms
redly (ˈredly)
adverb
redness (ˈredness)
noun
Word origin
Old English rēad; compare Old High German rōt, Gothic rauths, Latin ruber, Greek eruthros, Sanskrit rohita
red in British English2
(rɛd)
verbWord forms: reds, redding, red or redded
(transitive) a variant spelling of redd1
Red in British English
(rɛd) informal
adjective
1.
Communist, Socialist, or Soviet
2.
radical, leftist, or revolutionary
noun
3.
a member or supporter of a Communist or Socialist Party or a national of a state having such a government,esp the former Soviet Union
4.
a radical, leftist, or revolutionary
Word origin
C19: from the colour chosen to symbolize revolutionary socialism
red in American English
(rɛd)
noun
1.
a primary color, or any of a spread of colors at the lower end of the visible spectrum, varying in hue from that of blood to pale rose or pink
see also color
2.
a pigment producing this color
3. [oftenR-]; Informal
a political radical or revolutionary; esp., a communist
4.
anything colored red, as a red space on a roulette wheel, a red checker piece, orred clothing
5.
red wine
6. Slang
a red capsule of secobarbital, a barbiturate
usually used in pl.
adjectiveWord forms: ˈredder or ˈreddest
7.
having or being of the color red or any of its hues
8.
having red hair
9.
a.
having a reddish or coppery skin
b.
florid, flushed, or blushing
c.
bloodshot
d.
sore; inflamed
10.
a. [oftenR-]
politically radical or revolutionary; esp., communist
b. [R-]
of the Soviet Union
11.
of or designating red wine
Idioms:
in the red
into the red
see red
Derived forms
redly (ˈredly)
adverb
Word origin
ME < OE read, akin to Ger rot, ON rauthr < IE base *reudh-, red > Gr erythros, L ruber, rufus, red, rubere, to be red, OIr rūad, Lith raũdas, red; (sense 3) from the red flag symbolizing revolutionary socialism
More idioms containing
red
a red herring
a red flag
not a red cent
roll out the red carpet
a red rag to a bull
bleed red ink
in the red
red as a beetroot
a red letter day
see red
red tape
red in tooth and claw
paint the town red
Examples of 'red' in a sentence
red
Symptoms include red and blue spots and instant hair loss.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Look out for foil red and gold signature cards in lucky packets.
The Sun (2016)
Nor will they be the only reason for a red face.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The pain shot through like a red flame of fire.
The Sun (2016)
Those colours have a red oxide base.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Light a white candle and hold the red one over the flame.
The Sun (2016)
To make the topping, place the red onion and squash onto a baking tray.
The Sun (2017)
It produces stunning, if rather disconcerting, red cider and juice.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
From the age of six, I was bullied for my freckles and red hair.
The Sun (2016)
Monuments were cloaked in red and gold.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Those challenges happen regularly and no one sees red.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The former neuroscience student had dyed his hair red and wore a gas mask and body armour.
The Sun (2015)
Their bright red beak and legs will also get a bit duller.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
So forget about plain red and really go wild!
The Sun (2013)
Without any fashion disasters the red carpet could seem a little dull to some.
The Sun (2016)
And the fanatical home support will be wearing blue instead of red.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Such paranoid red tape applies to academics in no other country.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
LET'S have a red and white poppy to honour both our heroes and civilians.
The Sun (2013)
Danlo looked through the flickering red fires up at the circle of skulls.
Zindell, David The Broken God (1993)
Intensive care must have been on red alert waiting for face reconstruction.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Some bones have a hollow cavity containing bone marrow in which new red blood cells are produced.
McCahill, T. A. Biology Basic Facts (1982)
Guilty players to be shown a red card.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Add cooked red onion slices and finish with a dash of olive oil.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The youngest answers back and my partner sees red.
The Sun (2015)
Maybe if they were a really heavy drinker they might have a red face.
Cohen, Julian & Kay, James Taking Drugs Seriously (1994)
It was a hard tackle but by no means a red card.
The Sun (2009)
The perfect film to be shared with girlfriends and a bottle of red wine.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
That is except in the case of a much rarer green one with red spots.
Max Arthur Lost Voices of the Edwardians: 19011910 in the words of the Men & Women Who WereThere (2006)
Only in the fullness of the autumn would the trees produce their finest aspect in marvellous red and gold.
Veronica Buckley CHRISTINA QUEEN OF SWEDEN: The Restless Life of a European Eccentric (2004)
They are small and bright red, with five rounded petals.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Yellow and blue make a cheerful combination and can look elegant or childlike; also team blue with spicy reds, pinks and oranges.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Going upstairs by the internal spiral staircase, which is set off by a painted panel of red on the wall, you reach the bedroom.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Word lists with
red
Seas
In other languages
red
British English: red /rɛd/ ADJECTIVE
Something that is red is the colour of blood or tomatoes.
...a bunch of red roses.
American English: red
Arabic: أَحْمَر
Brazilian Portuguese: vermelho
Chinese: 红的
Croatian: crven
Czech: červený
Danish: rød
Dutch: rood
European Spanish: rojo
Finnish: punainen
French: rouge
German: rot
Greek: κόκκινος
Italian: rosso
Japanese: 赤い
Korean: 빨간
Norwegian: rød
Polish: czerwony
European Portuguese: vermelho
Romanian: roșu
Russian: красный
Latin American Spanish: rojo
Swedish: röd
Thai: แดง
Turkish: kırmızı
Ukrainian: червоний
Vietnamese: màu đỏ
All related terms of 'red'
red ant
any reddish ant , esp. the pharaoh ant
red bag
(in Britain) a fabric bag for a barrister's robes , presented by a Queen's Counsel to a junior in appreciation of good work in a case
red box
(in Britain ) a box , typically covered in red leather , used to transport the official documents of a government minister
red cod
a deep-sea fish, Physiculus bachus , of Australia and New Zealand , with a grey-and-pink body that turns red when it is removed from water
any of several artificial red pigments added to cosmetics or food: dyes number two and number four are banned by the FDA as possible carcinogenic additives
red elm
a tree, Ulmus fulva, of E North America , having oblong serrated leaves, notched winged fruits, and a mucilaginous inner bark
red eye
A red-eye or a red-eye flight is a plane journey during the night.
red fir
a North American coniferous tree , Abies magnifica , having reddish wood valued as timber : family Pinaceae
red fox
the common fox , Vulpes vulpes , which has a reddish-brown coat: family Canidae , order Carnivora ( carnivores )
red gum
any of several Australian myrtaceous trees of the genus Eucalyptus , esp E. camaldulensis , which has reddish wood
red hat
the broad-brimmed crimson hat given to cardinals as the symbol of their rank and office
red-hot
Red-hot metal or rock has been heated to such a high temperature that it has turned red.
red ink
a deficit or loss shown in the accounts of a bank , company, etc.
red man
a Native American
red men
a Native American
red ned
any cheap red wine
red oak
any of several deciduous oak trees, esp Quercus borealis , native to North America, having bristly leaves with triangular lobes and acorns with small cups
red rag
a provocation ; something that infuriates
red run
a run of some difficulty , suitable for intermediate skiers
Red Sea
a long narrow sea between Arabia and NE Africa , linked with the Mediterranean in the north by the Suez Canal and with the Indian Ocean in the south: occasionally reddish in appearance through algae. Area: 438 000 sq km (169 000 sq miles)
red-top
a tabloid newspaper characterized by sensationalism
see red
to suddenly become very angry or annoyed because of something which has been said or done
blood red
Something that is blood-red is bright red in colour.
brick red
a reddish-brown colour
Congo red
a brownish-red soluble powder , used as a dye , a diagnostic indicator , a biological stain , and a chemical indicator. Formula: C 32 H 22 N 6 O 6 S 2 Na 2
fire red
a strong reddish-orange color
flame red
a bright orange-red colour
house red
a red wine sold unnamed by a restaurant , at a lower price than wines specified on the wine list
poppy red
a bright yellowish red, the color of some poppies
red alert
If a hospital, a police force, or a military force is on red alert , they have been warned that there may be an emergency, so they can be ready to deal with it.
red algae
the numerous algae that constitute the phylum Rhodophyta , which contain a red pigment in addition to chlorophyll . The group includes carrageen , dulse, and laver
Red Angus
a variety of Angus beef cattle , with a reddish coat
Red Army
→ the Red Army
red bark
a kind of cinchona containing a high proportion of alkaloids
red beds
sequences of red sedimentary rocks, usually sandstones or shales , coloured by the oxidization of the iron in them
red beet
→ the US name for beetroot
red biddy
cheap red wine fortified with methylated spirits
red book
a government publication bound in red, esp the Treasury's annual forecast of revenue , expenditure , growth, and inflation
red card
In football or rugby , if a player is shown the red card , the referee holds up a red card to indicate that the player must leave the pitch for breaking the rules .
red cedar
any of several North American coniferous trees, esp Juniperus virginiana , a juniper that has fragrant reddish wood used for making pencils , and Thuja plicata , an arbor vitae
red cell
→ erythrocyte
red cent
a cent considered as a trivial amount of money (esp in the phrases not have a red cent , not worth a red cent , etc)
red chalk
a clayey ochre containing iron , used by painters
Red China
→ an unofficial name for (the People's Republic of) China
red clay
clayey material colored red by iron oxide
red coral
any of several corals of the genus Corallium , the skeletons of which are pinkish-red in colour and used to make ornaments , etc
Red Cross
The Red Cross is an international organization that helps people who are suffering , for example as a result of war, floods , or disease .
red deer
a large deer , Cervus elaphus , formerly widely distributed in the woodlands of Europe and Asia . The coat is reddish-brown in summer and the short tail is surrounded by a patch of light-coloured hair
red drum
a large, edible drum fish ( Sciaenops ocellatus ) of the Atlantic coast of the U.S.
Chinese translation of 'red'
red
(rɛd)
adj
红(紅)色的 (hóngsè de)
[face, person]涨(漲)红(紅)的 (zhànghóng de)
[hair]红(紅)褐色的 (hónghèsè de)
[wine]红(紅)的 (hóng de)
n(c/u)
红(紅)色 (hóngsè) (种(種), zhǒng)
to be in the red (inf)[bank account, business]负(負)债(債) (fùzhài)
to see red (inf) 暴怒 (bàonù)
All related terms of 'red'
red-hot
( very hot ) 炽(熾)热(熱)的 chìrè de
red deer
赤鹿 chìlù
red meat
牛羊肉 niúyángròu
infra-red
( rays, light, equipment ) 红(紅)外线(線)的 hóngwàixiàn de
Red Cross
▶ the Red Cross 红(紅)十字会(會) Hóngshízìhuì
red light
▶ to go through a red light 闯(闖)红(紅)灯(燈) chuǎng hóngdēng
red-haired
红(紅)棕色头(頭)发(髮)的 hóngzōngsè tóufa de
red-handed
▶ to catch somebody red-handed 抓住某人做错(錯)事 zhuāzhù mǒurén zuò cuòshì ⇒ He was caught red-handed. → 他被当场抓住。 Tā bèi dāng chǎng zhuāzhù.
to see red
( inf ) 暴怒 bàonù
she went red
她脸(臉)红(紅)了 tā liǎn hóng le
the Red Cross
红(紅)十字会(會) Hóngshízìhuì
red with anger
气(氣)得涨(漲)红(紅)了脸(臉) qì de zhànghóngle liǎn
red-light district
红(紅)灯(燈)区(區) hóngdēngqū
to be in the red
( inf : bank account, business ) 负(負)债(債) fùzhài
the red-hot favourite
( inf ) 大热(熱)门(門) dà rèmén
to dye sth red/black
把某物染成红(紅)色/黑色 bǎ mǒuwù rǎnchéng hóngsè/hēisè
her face was very red
她的脸(臉)很红(紅) tā de liǎn hěn hóng
his face was very red
他的脸(臉)很红(紅) tā de liǎn hěn hóng
I've already got a red one
我已经(經)有一个(個)红(紅)的了 wǒ yǐjīng yǒu yī gè hóng de le
to catch somebody red-handed
抓住某人做错(錯)事 zhuāzhù mǒurén zuò cuòshì ⇒ He was caught red-handed. → 他被当场抓住。 Tā bèi dāng chǎng zhuāzhù.
to go through a red light
闯(闖)红(紅)灯(燈) chuǎng hóngdēng
1 (noun)
a deep shade of red
Synonyms
crimson
scarlet
ruby
vermilion
rose
wine
pink
cherry
cardinal
coral
maroon
claret
carmine
2 (noun)
Definition
a Communist or socialist
(informal)
She claimed they were all a bunch of Reds.
Synonyms
communist
He is a former Communist who now edits a financial journal.
socialist
His views have always been popular among socialists.
revolutionary
militant
Marxist
leftist
left-winger
We were accused of being militant left-wingers.
lefty (informal)
Trotskyite
3 (noun)
The spicy flavours in these dishes call for reds rather than whites.
Synonyms
red wine
4 (noun)
Synonyms
redness
colour
There was a touch of colour in her cheeks.
1 (adjective)
Definition
of a colour varying from crimson to orange
a red coat
Synonyms
crimson
scarlet
ruby
vermilion
rose
wine
pink
cherry
cardinal
coral
maroon
claret
carmine
2 (adjective)
Definition
flushed in the face from anger or shame
She was red with shame.
Synonyms
flushed
embarrassed
blushing
beetroot
suffused
florid
He was a stout, florid man.
shamefaced
rubicund (old-fashioned)
3 (adjective)
Definition
reddish in colour or having parts or marks that are reddish
Her red hair flowed out in the wind.
Synonyms
chestnut
flaming
A group followed carrying flaming torches.
reddish
flame-coloured
bay
sandy
foxy
Titian
carroty
ginger
4 (adjective)
Definition
(of the eyes) bloodshot
He rubbed his red eyes.
Synonyms
bloodshot
inflamed
Her eyes were sore and inflamed.
red-rimmed
5 (adjective)
rosy red cheeks
Synonyms
rosy
She had bright, rosy cheeks.
healthy
She had a normal pregnancy and delivered a healthy child.
glowing
Her face was glowing with humiliation.
blooming (informal)
It's a blooming nuisance because it frightens my dog to death.
ruddy
He had a naturally ruddy complexion.
roseate
6 (adjective)
Synonyms
bloody
His fingers were bloody and cracked.
sanguine
gory
The paramedic carefully stripped off his gory clothes.
bloodstained
ensanguined (literary)
idioms
See in the red
See see red
related words
related adjectivesrubicundruddy
subject word lists
See Shades of red
figurative note
The symbolism of red can be seen in the many phrases involving the word. The colour of fire in nature, red has become associated with fiery emotional states in people. Passion is conceptualized in the phrase red-hot, meaning very hot, exciting, or passionate, as is anger in the expression see red, meaning lose your temper. The colour of blood and the physical effects of flushing have led to the association of red with health in rose-red and ruddy; virility in red-blooded; shame in red-faced; and soreness in red-rimmed. Through this combination of meanings, red symbolizes danger and risk in a red light in traffic, or sex in a red light district in a town. The phrase in the red, meaning `in debt' also has this negative connotation and stems historically from the red ink used to record debits in an account. From the colour of a communist party badge, red means left-wing politics and socialism in the phrase red army.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of blooming
Definition
extreme or extremely
It's a blooming nuisance because it frightens my dog to death.
Synonyms
damned (slang),
bloody (slang, British, slang),
flaming (informal),
fucking (offensive, taboo, slang),
bleeding (British, slang),
freaking (slang, US),
rotten,
blinking (informal),
confounded,
ruddy (informal, British),
infernal,
deuced (British, informal),
wretched,
frigging (taboo, slang)
in the sense of colour
There was a touch of colour in her cheeks.
Synonyms
rosiness,
glow,
bloom,
flush,
blush,
brilliance,
redness,
vividness,
ruddiness
in the sense of flaming
Definition
burning with flames
A group followed carrying flaming torches.
Synonyms
burning,
blazing,
fiery,
ignited,
red,
brilliant,
raging,
glowing,
red-hot,
ablaze,
in flames,
afire
Synonyms of 'red'
red
Explore 'red' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of florid
Definition
having a red or flushed complexion
He was a stout, florid man.
Synonyms
flushed,
ruddy,
rubicund,
high-coloured,
high-complexioned,
blowsy
in the sense of glowing
Her face was glowing with humiliation.
Synonyms
flushed,
red,
flaming,
ruddy,
florid,
aglow
in the sense of gory
Definition
bloody
The paramedic carefully stripped off his gory clothes.
Synonyms
bloody,
bloodstained,
blood-soaked,
ensanguined (literary)
in the sense of healthy
Definition
having or showing good health
She had a normal pregnancy and delivered a healthy child.
Synonyms
well,
sound,
fit,
strong,
active,
flourishing,
hardy,
blooming,
robust,
vigorous,
sturdy,
hale (old-fashioned),
hearty,
in good shape (informal),
in good condition,
in the pink,
alive and kicking,
fighting fit,
in fine form,
in fine fettle,
hale and hearty,
fit as a fiddle (informal),
right as rain (British, informal),
physically fit,
in fine feather
in the sense of inflamed
Her eyes were sore and inflamed.
Synonyms
swollen,
sore,
red,
hot,
angry,
infected,
fevered,
festering,
chafing,
septic
in the sense of left-winger
We were accused of being militant left-wingers.
Synonyms
socialist,
communist,
red (informal),
pinko (derogatory, US),
radical,
revolutionary,
militant,
Marxist,
Bolshevik,
Leninist,
Trotskyite
in the sense of rubicund
Definition
of a reddish colour
Synonyms
reddish,
pink,
flushed,
blushing,
rosy,
ruddy,
florid,
roseate
in the sense of ruddy
Definition
(of the complexion) having a healthy reddish colour
He had a naturally ruddy complexion.
Synonyms
rosy,
red,
fresh,
healthy,
glowing,
blooming,
flushed,
blushing,
radiant,
reddish,
sanguine,
florid,
sunburnt,
rosy-cheeked,
rubicund
in the sense of socialist
His views have always been popular among socialists.
Synonyms
left-winger,
communist,
Marxist,
red (informal),
social democrat,
leftist,
Fabian,
Leninist,
Trotskyist,
syndicalist,
Labourite,
progressivist
All related terms of 'red'
red-hot
very hot, burning, heated, steaming, searing
see red
lose your temper, boil, lose it, seethe, go mad
red tape
bureaucracy, the government, administration, the system, the authorities
red-blooded
vigorous, lusty, virile, strong, vital
red-handed
in the act, with your pants down, (in) flagrante delicto, with your fingers or hand in the till, bang to rights
in the red
in debt, bankrupt, on the rocks, insolvent, in arrears