Ask Difference

Scarlet vs. Crimson — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 19, 2023
Scarlet is a bright red color with a slight orange undertone, often associated with passion or danger. Crimson is a deep, rich red with a bluish undertone, commonly linked to royalty or sophistication.
Scarlet vs. Crimson — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Scarlet and Crimson

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Key Differences

Scarlet is a vibrant, bright red that often leans toward the orange spectrum. It's a color frequently seen in flags, uniforms, and emblems. Crimson, on the other hand, is a darker, richer shade of red that veers towards the bluish-purple spectrum. This color is often used in academic robes or religious garments, denoting a certain gravity or formality.
From a grammatical perspective, both "scarlet" and "crimson" are primarily used as nouns to describe specific shades of red but can also function as adjectives. For example, you could refer to a "scarlet rose" or a "crimson sky." However, each color's unique hue allows it to be used in different contexts to evoke different feelings or symbolisms.
Scarlet and crimson also differ in historical significance and symbolism. Scarlet often symbolizes lust, danger, or attention, perhaps best exemplified by the phrase "scarlet letter." Crimson tends to represent power, nobility, or spirituality, as seen in its use in royal and ecclesiastical garments.
Lastly, while both colors are derived from natural sources, they historically come from different origins. Scarlet was often obtained from the cochineal insect, while crimson was traditionally derived from the kermes insect. Thus, although they are both shades of red, the source, symbolism, and appearance of scarlet and crimson are distinctly different.

Comparison Chart

Hue

Bright red with orange undertones
Deep red with bluish undertones
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Grammatical Usage

Noun and adjective
Noun and adjective

Symbolism

Passion, danger, attention
Royalty, nobility, spirituality

Historical Origin

Cochineal insect
Kermes insect

Common Use Cases

Flags, uniforms, emblems
Academic robes, religious garments

Compare with Definitions

Scarlet

Scarlet is a bright red color with orange undertones.
The scarlet dress caught everyone's attention.

Crimson

Crimson is a deep, rich red color with bluish undertones.
The crimson velvet was luxurious.

Scarlet

Scarlet is often used in flags and emblems.
The national flag featured a scarlet stripe.

Crimson

Crimson symbolizes nobility and power.
The king wore a crimson robe.

Scarlet

Scarlet can signify danger or warning.
The scarlet alert flashed on the screen.

Crimson

Crimson can function as both a noun and an adjective.
The sky turned a vivid crimson at sunset.

Scarlet

Scarlet is derived historically from the cochineal insect.
The scarlet dye was made from crushed cochineal.

Crimson

Crimson is often used in religious contexts.
The cardinal wore crimson vestments.

Scarlet

Scarlet can also function as an adjective.
She wore a scarlet lipstick.

Crimson

Crimson traditionally comes from the kermes insect.
Ancient crimson dyes were sourced from kermes.

Scarlet

Of a brilliant red colour
A mass of scarlet berries

Crimson

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.

Scarlet

A brilliant red colour
Papers lettered in scarlet and black

Crimson

Of a rich deep red colour inclining to purple
She blushed crimson with embarrassment

Scarlet

A strong to vivid red or reddish orange.

Crimson

A rich deep red colour inclining to purple
A pair of corduroy trousers in livid crimson, they were horrid to behold

Scarlet

Scarlet-colored clothing or cloth.

Crimson

(of a person's face) become flushed, especially through embarrassment
My face crimsoned and my hands began to shake

Scarlet

Of a strong to vivid red or reddish orange.

Crimson

A deep to vivid purplish red to vivid red.

Scarlet

Flagrantly immoral or unchaste
Scarlet thoughts.

Crimson

To make or become deeply or vividly red.

Scarlet

A brilliant red colour tinged with orange.

Crimson

A deep, slightly bluish red.

Scarlet

Cloth of a scarlet color.

Crimson

Having a deep red colour.

Scarlet

Of a bright red colour.

Crimson

Immodest. en

Scarlet

Sinful or whorish.
A scarlet woman

Crimson

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

Scarlet

(Ireland) Blushing; embarrassed or mortified.

Crimson

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

Scarlet

(transitive) To dye or tinge (something) with scarlet.

Crimson

A deep red color tinged with blue; also, red color in general.
Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
A maid yet rosed over with the virgin crimson of modesty.

Scarlet

A deep bright red tinged with orange or yellow, - of many tints and shades; a vivid or bright red color.

Crimson

Of a deep red color tinged with blue; deep red.
The blushing poppy with a crimson hue.

Scarlet

Cloth of a scarlet color.
All her household are clothed with scarlet.

Crimson

To dye with crimson or deep red; to redden.
Signed in thy spoil and crimsoned in thy lethe.

Scarlet

Of the color called scarlet; as, a scarlet cloth or thread.

Crimson

To become crimson; to blush.
Ancient towers . . . beginning to crimson with the radiant luster of a cloudless July morning.

Scarlet

To dye or tinge with scarlet.
The ashy paleness of my cheekIs scarleted in ruddy flakes of wrath.

Crimson

A deep and vivid red

Scarlet

A variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge

Crimson

Turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame;
The girl blushed when a young man whistled as she walked by

Scarlet

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

Crimson

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

Crimson

Characterized by violence or bloodshed;
Writes of crimson deeds and barbaric days
Fann'd by Conquest's crimson wing
Convulsed with red rage

Crimson

(especially of the face) reddened or suffused with or as if with blood from emotion or exertion;
Crimson with fury
Turned red from exertion
With puffy reddened eyes
Red-faced and violent
Flushed (or crimson) with embarrassment

Common Curiosities

What is Scarlet?

Scarlet is a bright red color with a slight orange undertone.

Can Scarlet and Crimson be used as adjectives?

Yes, both can be used as nouns and adjectives.

What is Crimson?

Crimson is a deep, rich red color with a bluish undertone.

Where is Scarlet commonly used?

Scarlet is often used in flags, uniforms, and emblems.

What is the origin of the color Scarlet?

The color scarlet was traditionally derived from the cochineal insect.

What does Scarlet symbolize?

Scarlet often symbolizes passion, danger, or attention.

Where is Crimson commonly used?

Crimson is frequently seen in academic robes and religious garments.

Is Scarlet brighter than Crimson?

Yes, scarlet is a brighter red compared to the deeper hue of crimson.

What is the origin of the color Crimson?

Crimson was traditionally obtained from the kermes insect.

What does Crimson symbolize?

Crimson is commonly associated with royalty, nobility, and spirituality.

Can you mix colors to get Scarlet?

You can mix red and a bit of orange to approximate scarlet.

Can you mix colors to get Crimson?

Mixing red with a touch of blue can yield crimson.

Is Scarlet an RGB color?

Yes, scarlet can be represented in RGB color codes.

Are Scarlet and Crimson the same?

No, scarlet and crimson are different shades of red with distinct undertones and symbolism.

Is Crimson an RGB color?

Yes, crimson also has its RGB representation.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

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