vermilion

noun

ver·​mil·​ion vər-ˈmil-yən 

variants or less commonly vermillion

1

: a vivid reddish orange

2

: a bright red pigment consisting of mercuric sulfide

broadly : any of various red pigments

Examples of vermilion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Locally known as hatha jodi (joined hands) in India, the root is highly sought after by consumers, who often mark the roots with vermilion and place them near religious idols. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024

Lava appearing in its summit, or sneaking out of fissures on its flanks, can light up the night sky with a striking vermilion glow, threatening nobody. —Robin George Andrews, The Atlantic, 26 Sep. 2024

Swift switched up her signature classic, bright, crimson lip shade for an orangey-red vermilion hue. —Brittany Talarico, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2024

The soaring vermilion bridge is one of the first sights that most transplants tick off their must-see list, and Ashwini’s work took her all around San Francisco. —Longreads, 10 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vermilioun, borrowed from Anglo-French vermeilloun, from vermeil "bright red, red color" (going back to Late Latin vermiculus "bright red color (obtained from kermes)," going back to Latin, "insect larva, grub," from vermis "worm" + -culus, diminutive suffix) + -on, diminutive or particularizing suffix, going back to Latin -ō, -ōn-, suffix of persons with a prominent feature — more at worm entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

vermilion

noun

ver·​mil·​ion

variants also vermillion

vər-ˈmil-yən 

: a bright reddish orange