red book: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Official, Historical/Contextual
Quick answer
What does “red book” mean?
A book with a red cover.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A book with a red cover.
An official publication, directory, or list, often governmental or administrative, bound with a distinctive red cover (e.g., a peerage directory, a diplomatic list, or a budget document). In communist contexts (capitalized), it can refer specifically to Mao Zedong's 'Little Red Book' (Quotations from Chairman Mao).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'Red Book' is strongly associated with the formal 'Red Book of the Exchequer' (the Budget documentation). In the US, this specific association is absent, though 'red book' can refer to various official manuals or lists (e.g., the 'Social Register' is sometimes informally called the 'red book').
Connotations
UK: Government, finance, tradition, authority. US: Less standardized; can imply official listings (e.g., telephone directory variants) or, in historical/global context, Mao's book.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK in formal/governmental contexts. In the US, it's a lower-frequency term except in specific professional or historical discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “red book” in a Sentence
[the/this/that] + Red Book + [of + NP (e.g., the Exchequer)][verb (e.g., publish, consult)] + the + Red BookVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “red book” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not standard as a verb]
American English
- [Not standard as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not an adverb]
American English
- [Not an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Not standard as an adjective; used attributively as a noun modifier, e.g., 'a red-book reference']
American English
- [Not standard as an adjective; used attributively as a noun modifier, e.g., 'a red-book listing']
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In UK business/finance: 'The Chancellor's announcements are detailed in the Red Book.'
Academic
In political/historical studies: 'The dissemination of the Little Red Book was a key propaganda tool.'
Everyday
Literal: 'I can't find my red book of recipes.'
Technical
In philately: 'The Red Book is the standard catalogue for US stamps.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “red book”
- Capitalising unnecessarily ('I read it in a red book' vs. '...the Red Book').
- Assuming it has a single, universal referent across all English-speaking contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, only when it forms part of an official or published title (e.g., 'the Red Book', 'Little Red Book'). Use lower case for a literal description (e.g., 'a red book').
Globally, it is likely 'Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung', known as the 'Little Red Book'. In the UK, it is the 'Red Book' of budget documents.
Yes, in specific fields: e.g., in conservation, 'Red Data Book' lists endangered species; in stamp collecting, 'Scott's Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps' is nicknamed the 'Red Book'.
Yes. 'red book' is a common noun phrase describing any book with a red cover. 'Red Book' is a proper noun phrase referring to a specific, titled publication or category of official document.
A book with a red cover.
Red book is usually formal, official, historical/contextual in register.
Red book: in British English it is pronounced /ˌred ˈbʊk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɛd ˈbʊk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not commonly idiomatic as a phrase]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a UK Chancellor holding a RED budget BOOK. Or, picture the iconic small RED BOOK of Mao's quotations.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS A BOUND OBJECT (The red cover symbolises official sanction and formalised knowledge).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'Red Book' most likely to refer to a political text?