Redness Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🔴
Add to dictionary

redness

[ˈrɛdnəs ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

skin condition

The quality or state of being red in color, especially in the face or on the skin. Redness is often a visible sign of inflammation, irritation, or sensitivity.

Synonyms

blush, flush, inflammation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
redness

General term used to describe when an area of the skin is red. It can be due to various reasons including irritation, sunburn, or allergic reactions.

  • She noticed redness around her eyes after using the new face cream
  • The redness on his skin faded after a few days
flush

Sudden reddening of the face or skin, often due to emotion, physical exertion, or a rapid increase in body temperature.

  • She felt a flush of excitement when she heard the news
  • After running, his face was flushed with the effort
blush

Temporary and often involuntary reddening of the face, usually due to embarrassment, shyness, or romantic feelings.

  • She began to blush when he complimented her
  • His face turned a deep blush as he entered the room
inflammation

Medical term referring to the body's response to injury or infection, often resulting in redness, swelling, and pain.

  • The doctor diagnosed him with inflammation in his joints
  • Inflammation caused by the infection made her skin look red and tender

Examples of usage

  • The redness on her cheeks indicated that she was embarrassed.
  • Applying a soothing cream helped reduce the redness on his sunburnt skin.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Color Psychology

  • Red is often linked to strong emotions such as love, passion, and anger, showing how colors can affect feelings.
  • In many cultures, the color red symbolizes good luck and prosperity, especially in celebrations like Chinese New Year.

Art and Culture

  • In art, redness can convey urgency or alertness; artists often use it to draw attention to important parts of their work.
  • The famous artist Mark Rothko used varying shades of red to evoke intense emotional responses in viewers.

Science of Color

  • Red is one of the primary colors in the RGB color model, which stands for red, green, and blue, used in digital screens.
  • The wavelength of red light is about 620–750 nanometers, making it one of the longest visible wavelengths.

Cultural Significance

  • In Western cultures, red is often associated with danger, prompting caution signs to be in this color for visibility.
  • In India, red is a color of marriage and is often worn by brides as a symbol of love and fertility.

Language and Expression

  • The term 'seeing red' refers to becoming very angry, showcasing how language connects colors to our feelings.
  • Expressions such as 'red-handed' imply being caught in the act of wrongdoing, linking the color with guilt.

Origin of 'redness'

The word 'redness' is derived from the Middle English word 'rednesse', which comes from the Old English word 'readnes'. The concept of redness has been associated with emotions such as anger, embarrassment, or passion throughout history. In medicine, redness is often a symptom of inflammation or irritation in the body.


See also: red, redact, redden, reddening, reddish, redfish, redneck, redolent.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,922, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.