coquelicot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Rare/Archaising)Literary, formal, poetic, fashion/design jargon
Quick answer
What does “coquelicot” mean?
A bright red colour, like that of the common poppy flower (Papaver rhoeas).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A bright red colour, like that of the common poppy flower (Papaver rhoeas).
The flower itself, especially the common red poppy; also used as a descriptive term in art, fashion, and literature for its vivid hue.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Virtually identical and equally rare in both variants. Might be marginally more recognised in British English due to historical and floral associations (e.g., remembrance poppies).
Connotations
Connotes Frenchness, artistic flair, vivid natural beauty.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both; encountered almost exclusively in literary texts, high-end fashion descriptions, or specialist botany/art contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “coquelicot” in a Sentence
[Colour] + of + coquelicotcoquelicot + [noun (dress, scarf, lipstick)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coquelicot” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Her coquelicot scarf was a bold splash against the grey London sky.
American English
- The designer's latest collection featured a stunning coquelicot evening gown.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rarely used in art history, literary analysis, or botany.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used as a precise colour descriptor in fashion design, fabric manufacturing, and fine art.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coquelicot”
- Misspelling (e.g., 'coquilicot', 'coquelico').
- Using it as a general term for 'red' instead of the specific bright poppy-red.
- Pronouncing final 't' (it is silent in the original French, but often sounded in English).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a loanword from French, fully naturalised in English, though it remains rare and specialised.
Only in a poetic or highly stylised context. In normal usage, 'poppy' (or 'common poppy'/'corn poppy') is the correct term for the flower.
The most common British pronunciation is /ˈkɒkəlɪkəʊ/ (KOCK-uh-li-koh). The most common American is /ˈkoʊkəliˌkoʊ/ (KOH-kuh-li-koh).
To be precise about the specific bright, orange-tinted scarlet hue, and to evoke a sense of elegance, Frenchness, or artistic flair.
A bright red colour, like that of the common poppy flower (Papaver rhoeas).
Coquelicot is usually literary, formal, poetic, fashion/design jargon in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to the English borrowing.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'COOK a LOT' of tomatoes to get a bright red sauce the colour of a poppy – a coquelicot.
Conceptual Metaphor
VIVID COLOUR IS INTENSITY (e.g., 'a coquelicot passion').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'coquelicot' MOST likely to be used correctly?