cherry red: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium (B2)Informal, descriptive
Quick answer
What does “cherry red” mean?
A bright, vivid red colour similar to that of a ripe red cherry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A bright, vivid red colour similar to that of a ripe red cherry.
A specific shade of red used as a colour standard; often associated with sports cars, lipstick, and certain types of candy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling: 'colour' vs. 'color' in surrounding text.
Connotations
Suggests vibrancy, glossiness, and sometimes a synthetic or 'candy-like' quality, as opposed to deeper reds like crimson.
Frequency
Used with comparable frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “cherry red” in a Sentence
be + cherry redpaint/stain + object + cherry redcherry red + nounVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cherry red” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I'm going to cherry red the door for a pop of colour.
American English
- Let's cherry red the bike frame to make it stand out.
adverb
British English
- The fabric was dyed cherry red, not maroon.
American English
- The walls are painted cherry red.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In marketing or product design specifications ('We need the packaging in cherry red').
Academic
Rare, except in art history or design studies describing specific colour palettes.
Everyday
Common for describing clothing, vehicles, or decor.
Technical
Used in paint, printing, and textile industries as a specific colour code.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cherry red”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cherry red”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cherry red”
- Using as one word ('cherryred').
- Confusing with 'blood red' or 'burgundy', which are darker.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a hyphenated compound adjective ('cherry-red') when used before a noun (e.g., a cherry-red dress), but often written as two separate words in informal contexts. As a noun phrase, it's two words.
'Cherry red' often implies a slightly bluer, cooler, and sometimes glossier or more synthetic red, like a candy. 'Scarlet' is a traditional term for a bright red with a slight orange tinge.
It would be unusual and potentially odd. For a flushed face, 'bright red' or 'beet red' are more idiomatic. 'Cherry red' is typically for objects.
There is no single code, as it varies by industry. In web design, it might be close to #D2042D or #DE3163. Always refer to a specific colour chart or brand guide for precision.
A bright, vivid red colour similar to that of a ripe red cherry.
Cherry red is usually informal, descriptive in register.
Cherry red: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtʃeri ˈred/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtʃeri ˈrɛd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Paint the town cherry red (playful variation of 'paint the town red')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a STOP sign or a ripe cherry – that's CHERRY RED.
Conceptual Metaphor
VIBRANCY IS SWEETNESS / ATTRACTION IS A BRIGHT COLOUR
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is most accurately described as 'cherry red'?