vermilion

noun

ver·mil·ion vər-ˈmil-yən

variants or less commonly vermillion

: a vivid reddish orange

: 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

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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 See all Example Sentences for vermilion

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