red

[[t]re̱d[/t]]

♦

reds, redder, reddest

1) COLOUR Something that is red is the colour of blood or fire.

...a bunch of red roses...

She had small hands with nails painted bright red.

2) ADJ-GRADED If you say that someone's face is red, you mean that it is redder than its normal colour, because they are embarrassed, angry, or out of breath.

With a bright red face I was forced to admit that I had no real idea...

She was red with shame.

3) ADJ You describe someone's hair as red when it is between red and brown in colour.

...a girl with red hair...

He is still vain enough to dye his hair red.

4) ADJ: ADJ n Your red blood cells or red corpuscles are the cells in your blood which carry oxygen around your body.

5) N-MASS You can refer to red wine as red.

The spicy flavours in these dishes call for reds rather than whites.

6) N-COUNT (disapproval) If you refer to someone as a red or a Red, you disapprove of the fact that they are a communist, a socialist or have left-wing ideas. [INFORMAL]

They're all so terrified of Reds.

7) PHRASE: v-link PHR If a person or company is in the red or if their bank account is in the red, they have spent more money than they have in their account and therefore they owe money to the bank.

The theatre is ₤500,000 in the red...

If you do go into the red you get charged 30p for each transaction.

Syn:

in debt

8) PHRASE: V inflects If you see red, you suddenly become very angry.

I didn't mean to break his nose. I just saw red.

9) like a red rag to a bull → see rag