vermilion

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vermilion

/vəˈmɪl.jən/ UK
/vɚˈmɪl.jən/ US

Rhymes with -ɪljən

Where it comes from

From Middle English vermelioun, vermyloun, vermylon, vermilun, from Old French vermeillon (“vermilion”), from vermeil, from Latin vermiculus (“little worm”), from vermis (“worm”), ultimately in reference to Kermes vermilio, a type of scale insect used to make a crimson dye. Displaced native Old English bōcrēad.

noun vermilions · vermillion

countable, uncountable A vivid red synthetic pigment made of mercury sulfide, cinnabar. Take ſix Ounces of Brimſtone, and melt it in an Iron Ladle, then put two Pound of Quick-ſilver into a ſhammy Leather, or double Linnen Cloth, and ſqueeze it out into the melted Brimſtone, ſtirring them, in the mean Time, with a wooden Spatula till they are well united; and when they are cold, beat t
countable, uncountable A bright orange-red colour. While this particular difference in the shade of vermilion is very striking in the symmetrical, smooth skins of even and regular make, which I have just compared, I must confess that it probably would not be in rough skins such as some European ornithologists appear still content with.
countable, uncountable A type of red dye worn in the parting of the hair by married Hindu women.
Similar: sindoor
countable, uncountable The red skin of the lips or its border with the skin of the face.
countable, obsolete, uncountable The kermes or cochineal insect.
countable, obsolete, uncountable The cochineal dye made from this insect.

adjective more vermilion · most vermilion · vermillion

Having a brilliant red colour.
Having the color of the vermilion dye.

verb vermilions · vermilioning · vermilioned · vermillion

transitive To color or paint vermilion. Coraly has few of thoſe charms that conſtitute perſonal excellence—her cheek is pallid—her eye no brilliant; but when the latter beams benevolence, or ſparkles with mirth—when the former is ſuffuſed with the captivating bluſh of modeſty, or vermilioned with the glow of the tender paſſion, there are

Translations

Every language

noun dye

हिन्दी	सिंदूर sindūr
Português	vermelhão
Ελληνικά	κιννάβαρι kinnávari

noun pigment

Español	bermellón
한국어	주색 jusaek, 버밀리언 beomillieon
日本語	朱 shu
中文	朱紅色 /朱红色 zhūhóngsè, 朱紅 /朱红 zhūhóng
हिन्दी	सिंदूर sindūr
Português	vermelhão
Français	vermillon
Deutsch	Zinnober
Italiano	vermiglio
Ελληνικά	κιννάβαρι kinnávari
Română	vermillon, cinabru
Русский	вермильо́н vermilʹón, ки́новарь kínovarʹ

noun colour

Español	bermellón
한국어	주색 jusaek, 버밀리언 beomillieon
日本語	朱 shu, 朱色 shuiro
中文	朱紅色 /朱红色 zhūhóngsè, 朱紅 /朱红 zhūhóng
हिन्दी	सिंदूरिया रंग sindūriyā raṅg, सिंदूरी sindūrī, क़िरमिज़ qirmiz
Português	vermelhão
Italiano	vermiglio
Română	vermillon
Русский	я́рко-кра́сный járko-krásnyj, а́лый ályj
עברית	שָׁשַׁר shashár

adj having a brilliant red colour

Español	bermejo
日本語	赤い akai
हिन्दी	क़िरमिज़ी qirmizī, सिंदूरी sindūrī
Português	vermelhão
Français	vermeil
Italiano	vermiglio
Română	vermeil
Русский	я́рко-кра́сный járko-krásnyj, а́лый ályj

adj having the color of vermilion dye

Español	bermejo
日本語	朱色 shuiro
हिन्दी	सिंदूरी sindūrī, सिंदूरिया sindūriyā

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Cite this

MLA

"vermilion." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/vermilion. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

vermilion. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/vermilion

Chicago

"vermilion." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/vermilion.

BibTeX

@misc{vermilion_2026,
  title = {vermilion},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/vermilion},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}