red-light

1 of 2

adjective

ˈred-ˈlīt 

variants or less commonly red light

: relating to or being an area with many brothels or sex workers

Just inside the entrance to "Picasso Érotique," the exhibition's designer has recreated an imagined bordello bedroom as one might have existed in the red-light district of Barcelona in the era of Picasso's youth.

—Arthur C. Danto

In the beginning, entertainment ran more along the lines of saloons, card games and red light activities.

—Jennifer Houghton

red light

2 of 2

noun

: a warning signal

especially : a red traffic signal

Synonyms

Noun

• caution
• red flag
• tip-off
• tocsin
• wake-up call
• warning

Examples of red-light in a Sentence

Noun

the reporter took her glower as a red light and stopped asking questions

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

America’s cities were notorious for red-light districts where impoverished young immigrant women seeking social freedom were lured into prostitution. —Peter Zablocki, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025

And there are several red-light therapy devices and LED masks on the market, such as the Omnilux Contour or Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 11 Mar. 2025

Noun

State police said the driver later allegedly blew through a red light at the intersection of Kelly Road and Route 83 before continuing north on Route 83, the warrant affidavits said. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2025

Bosworth reveals that she's been obsessed with red light therapy and has gotten her husband into the trend. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1894, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1849, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for red-light

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight