What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
red
Example
The apple is red. [red: adjective]
Example
She painted her nails red. [red: noun]
Example
He turned red when he realized his mistake. [red: adjective]
scarlet
Example
She wore a scarlet dress to the party. [scarlet: adjective]
Example
The flag had a scarlet stripe on it. [scarlet: noun]
Example
He felt scarlet-faced after being caught in a lie. [scarlet: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Red is much more commonly used than scarlet in everyday language. Red is a versatile color that can be used in many different contexts, while scarlet is more specific and often used in literature, heraldry, or military contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between red and scarlet?
Scarlet is generally considered more formal than red, due to its historical associations with royalty and military uniforms. However, both words can be used in formal or informal contexts depending on the situation.
