incarnadine
Say it: in-KAR-nuh-dyn /ɪnˈkɑːnədaɪn/ · adjective
What “incarnadine” means
A rich crimson red.
More precisely: Crimson or blood-red; as a verb, to colour red.
Example: “The sky turned incarnadine as the sun dropped behind the cranes.”
When to use it
Use it for vivid crimson colour in poetry or dramatic descriptions, especially when ordinary red feels too mild.
Similar words
crimson, blood-red, scarlet
Where it comes from
Via French from Italian incarnadino; made memorable by Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Quick check
The theatre curtain is a deep, vivid crimson rather than pink or orange. Which word describes its colour?
scarlet or incarnadine?
Show the answer
incarnadine
Learn 5 new words a day in Kinquire. Each with a picture, how to say it, an example and a quick check, then spaced review so you actually keep them. Free to start.
Learn “incarnadine”