red-letter

adjective

red-let·​ter ˈred-ˌle-tər How to pronounce red-letter (audio)
: of special significance

Examples of red-letter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Sunday was a red-letter day for airports across the country, the TSA reported, with a record 3 million people filling the security lines — a smidgen higher than the previous record of 2.99 million, which was set on June 23. Ashley Ahn, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2024 This week holds two red-letter days for Putin: his inauguration on Tuesday to yet another presidential term after an unsurprising landslide election win in March, coupled with Thursday’s traditionally bombastic Victory Day celebrations commemorating the Soviet victory over the Nazis. Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2024 The documentary will re-premiere on Disney+ May 8, certain to be a red-letter day for Beatles fans who have spent most of their lives wondering if it would ever be let out of the vault again. Chris Willman, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'red-letter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from the practice of marking holy days in red letters in church calendars

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of red-letter was in 1704

Dictionary Entries Near red-letter

Cite this Entry

“Red-letter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red-letter. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

red-letter

adjective
red-let·​ter
ˌred-ˌlet-ər
: worth remembering especially in a happy or joyful way
a red-letter day
Etymology

from the practice of marking holy days in red letters in church calendars

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