vermillion

/vərˈmɪljən/

Vermillion is an alternate spelling of vermilion, a word describing a deep, brilliant shade of red. The two-l spelling is probably influenced by the word million.

The spelling of this word, describing a deep, rich shade of red often seen in enameled Chinese lacquerware, is a bit tricky. The standard spelling is with one "l" because it came to us from the French word vermeil. But because it looks and sounds so much like million, people are often tempted to spell it that way. Though dictionaries tend to accept both variants, the one-l spelling is much more common in standard edited prose.

Definitions of vermillion

1. adjective

   of a vivid red to reddish-orange color
   synonyms: Chinese-red, cinnabar, vermilion

   chromatic

   being, having, or characterized by hue
2. noun

   a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
   synonyms: orange red, scarlet, vermilion

   type of:

   red, redness

   red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
3. verb

   to color a vivid red to reddish-orange color
   synonyms: vermilion

   type of:

   redden

   make red