red
gb/ɹˈɛd/ us/ɹˈɛd/
A1
English
~ 800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A1
property
1
Having the color of blood
Having a color like blood or a ripe tomato.
Usage pattern:
[something] is red
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'red' with 'read' because they are spelled the same in the past tense of 'read'.
Synonyms
scarlet (A bright shade of red, often with a slightly orange tone.)
Antonyms
blue (A color on the opposite side of the spectrum from red.)
Collocations
bright red
|deep red
|red dress
|red hair
|red light
Themes
colors
|appearance
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The car was painted a bright red.
- Her cheeks turned red from embarrassment.
- He wore a red tie to the meeting.
- The stop sign is red and white.
Learner examples
- My shirt is red.
- The apple is red.
- She has a red bag.
- That flower is red.
adjective
A2
property
2
Skin appearing flushed or sunburned
When skin looks pink or red from heat, exercise, sun, or feeling shy.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s face is red
Synonyms
flushed (Emphasizes a temporary redness due to emotion or physical activity.)
Antonyms
pale (Skin lacking color or redness.)
Collocations
red face
|red cheeks
|turn red
Themes
appearance
|emotions
|body
|health
Examples
- His face was red after running up the hill.
- She went red when he complimented her.
- After a day at the beach, my shoulders were red.
Learner examples
- Her face is red from the sun.
- He is red after running.
- I turn red when I am shy.
Noun
A1
entity
3
The color of blood
A color like blood or a ripe tomato.
Synonyms
crimson (A deep, rich shade of red.)
Antonyms
green (A color opposite to red on the color wheel.)
Collocations
bright red
|shades of red
|wear red
Themes
colors
|appearance
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Red is my favorite color.
- The artist used a lot of red in this painting.
- He looked striking in red.
Learner examples
- Red is my favorite color.
- I see red in the flag.
- She likes the color red.
adjective
B2
property
4
Having left-wing political views
Supporting ideas about sharing money and power more equally in society.
Synonyms
socialist (Specifically refers to supporting socialism.)
Antonyms
conservative (Supports traditional values and less government control in economy.)
Collocations
red politics
|red party
Themes
politics
Examples
- In the 20th century, some countries were known as Red states due to their communist governments.
- He was labeled a Red during the political unrest.
Learner examples
- He reads books about red politics.
- Some countries had red governments in the past.
Grammar
Dictionary form
red
IPA
GB/ɹˈɛd/
US/ɹˈɛd/
Syllables & stress
red (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (red)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: red
- Comparative: redder
- Superlative: reddest
Noun
- Base: red
- Plural: red, reds
Word family
Forms
reds
noun
redder
adjective
reddest
adjective
Related words
redness
noun
reddish
adjective B1
Advanced or less common
redden
verb
Highlights
- Irregular comparative: redder Adjective
- Irregular superlative: reddest Adjective
Expressions
catch someone red-handed
1/kˈæt͡ʃ sˈʌmwˌʌn ɹˈɛd hˈændɪd/
idiom
Catch someone in the act of wrongdoing
To see someone while they are doing something wrong or illegal.
Examples
- The police caught him red-handed while he was breaking into the car.
- She was caught red-handed taking money from the till.
in the red
1/ˈɪn ðə ɹˈɛd/
idiom
Owing more money than you have
To owe money; to be in debt.
Examples
- After the holiday season, many families find themselves in the red.
- The company has been in the red for three years.
paint the town red
1/pˈeɪnt ðə tˈaʊn ɹˈɛd/
idiom
informal
celebrate wildly in public
To go out and have a big, fun celebration, often at night in bars or clubs.
Examples
- After the exam, they went out to paint the town red.
- After winning the championship, they went out to paint the town red.
- We’re going to paint the town red for his birthday.
- Let's finish work early and paint the town red tonight.
red tape
1/ɹˈɛd tˈeɪp/
idiom
Excessive bureaucracy causing delay
Too many rules and paperwork that make things slow and difficult.
Examples
- We have to cut through a lot of red tape to get the permit.
- The project was delayed by government red tape.
- Red tape is slowing down the project.
- We need to cut through the red tape before starting work.
see red
1/sˈi ɹˈɛd/
idiom
informal
become suddenly angry
To suddenly feel very angry.
Examples
- He saw red when he found out they had lied to him.
- I see red every time someone cuts me off in traffic.
see red
2/sˈi ɹˈɛd/
idiom
informal
Become suddenly very angry
To suddenly become very angry.
Examples
- I see red when people litter in the park.
- He saw red when he found out someone scratched his car.