Purple vs. Crimson — What's the Difference?

Purple may refer to any of a variety of colors with hue between red and blue. However, the meaning of the color term purple differs even among native speakers of English, for example when comparing speakers from the United Kingdom with those from the United States )..

Crimson is a rich, deep red color, inclining to purple. It originally meant the color of the kermes dye produced from a scale insect, Kermes vermilio, but the name is now sometimes also used as a generic term for slightly bluish-red colors that are between red and rose.

A colour intermediate between red and blue

Of a rich deep red colour inclining to purple

A crimson dye obtained from some molluscs, formerly used for fabric worn by an emperor or senior magistrate in ancient Rome or Byzantium.

A rich deep red colour inclining to purple

Of a colour intermediate between red and blue

(of a person's face) become flushed, especially through embarrassment

Make or become purple in colour

A deep to vivid purplish red to vivid red.

Any of a group of colors with a hue between that of violet and red.

To make or become deeply or vividly red.

Cloth of a color between violet and red, formerly worn as a symbol of royalty or high office.

A deep, slightly bluish red.

Imperial power; high rank

Having a deep red colour.

The rank or office of a cardinal.

Immodest. en

The rank or office of a bishop.

(intransitive) To become crimson or deep red; to blush.

Of the color purple.

(transitive) To dye with crimson or deep red; to redden.

Royal or imperial; regal.

A deep red color tinged with blue; also, red color in general.

Elaborate and ornate

Of a deep red color tinged with blue; deep red.

To make or become purple.

To dye with crimson or deep red; to redden.

A color that is a dark blend of red and blue; dark magenta.

To become crimson; to blush.

(colour theory) Any non-spectral colour on the line of purples on a colour chromaticity diagram or a colour wheel between violet and red.

A deep and vivid red

Cloth, or a garment, dyed a purple colour; especially, a purple robe, worn as an emblem of rank or authority; specifically, the purple robe or mantle worn by Ancient Roman emperors as the emblem of imperial dignity.

Turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame;

(by extension) Imperial power, because the colour purple was worn by emperors and kings.

Having any of numerous bright or strong colors reminiscent of the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies

Any of various species of mollusks from which Tyrian purple dye was obtained, especially the common dog whelk.

Characterized by violence or bloodshed;

The purple haze cultivar of cannabis in the kush family, either pure or mixed with others, or by extension any variety of smoked marijuana.

(especially of the face) reddened or suffused with or as if with blood from emotion or exertion;

(medicine) Purpura.

Earcockle, a disease of wheat.

Any of the species of large butterflies, usually marked with purple or blue, of the genus Basilarchia (formerly Limenitis).

A cardinalate.

Ellipsis of purple drank

Having a colour/color that is a dark blend of red and blue.

(US politics) Not predominantly red or blue, but having a mixture of Democrat and Republican support.

(in Netherlands and Belgium) Mixed between social democrats and liberals.

Imperial; regal.

Blood-red; bloody.

(of language) Extravagantly ornate, like purple prose.

Completed in the fastest time so far in a given session.

(intransitive) To turn purple in colour.

(transitive) To dye purple.

(transitive) To clothe in purple.

A color formed by, or resembling that formed by, a combination of the primary colors red and blue.

Cloth dyed a purple color, or a garment of such color; especially, a purple robe, worn as an emblem of rank or authority; specifically, the purple rode or mantle worn by Roman emperors as the emblem of imperial dignity; as, to put on the imperial purple.

Hence: Imperial sovereignty; royal rank, dignity, or favor; loosely and colloquially, any exalted station; great wealth.

A cardinalate. See Cardinal.

Any species of large butterflies, usually marked with purple or blue, of the genus Basilarchia (formerly Limenitis) as, the banded purple (Basilarchia arthemis). See Illust. under Ursula.

Any shell of the genus Purpura.

See Purpura.

A disease of wheat. Same as Earcockle.

Exhibiting or possessing the color called purple, much esteemed for its richness and beauty; of a deep red, or red and blue color; as, a purple robe.

Imperial; regal; - so called from the color having been an emblem of imperial authority.

Blood-red; bloody.

To make purple; to dye of purple or deep red color; as, hands purpled with blood.

A chromatic color between red and blue

Of imperial status;

Become purple

Color purple

Of a color midway between red and blue

Excessively elaborate or showily expressed;

Belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler;