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redden

/ˈrɛdn/
IPA guide

Other forms: reddened; reddening; reddens

When something reddens, its color changes so that it looks red. In autumn, the leaves on some trees redden before they fall to the ground.

If the sky reddens at dusk, you might remember the rhyme "red sky at night, sailor's delight." Pale people redden too, when they blush or flush with embarrassment. A child coloring a picture with crayons might redden the sky and shade the trees blue and purple. The Old English root, meaning "become red," is readian.

Definitions of redden
  1. verb
    turn red or redder
    “The sky reddened
    see moresee less
    types:
    blush
    become rosy or reddish
    type of:
    color, colour, discolor, discolour
    change color, often in an undesired manner
  2. verb
    turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame
    synonyms: blush, crimson, flush
    see moresee less
    type of:
    color, colour, discolor, discolour
    change color, often in an undesired manner
  3. verb
    make red
    “The setting sun reddened the sky”
    see moresee less
    types:
    madder
    color a moderate to strong red
    encrimson
    make crimson
    vermilion, vermillion
    to color a vivid red to reddish-orange color
    carmine
    color carmine
    rubify
    make ruby red
    ruddle
    redden as if with a red ocher color
    rubric
    adorn with ruby red color
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘redden'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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