What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cardinal
Example
The cardinal bird stood out with its vibrant red feathers. [cardinal: adjective]
Example
Honesty is a cardinal virtue that everyone should strive for. [cardinal: adjective]
Example
The Pope appointed a new cardinal to the College of Cardinals. [cardinal: noun]
red
Example
She wore a beautiful red dress to the party. [red: adjective]
Example
He painted the walls of his room red. [red: adjective]
Example
The politician's speech was filled with rhetoric about the dangers of red ideologies. [red: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Red is a more commonly used word than cardinal in everyday language. Red is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while cardinal is less common and has a more specialized usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cardinal and red?
While cardinal is typically associated with a more formal tone due to its specialized usage, red can be used in both formal and informal contexts.