Crimson vs. Maroon — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on June 25, 2024
"Crimson" is a bright, deep red color, while "Maroon" is a dark brownish-red hue. Both are variants of red, but they differ in intensity and undertone.
Difference Between Crimson and Maroon
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Key Differences
"Crimson" and "Maroon" are both derivatives of the red color family, but they possess distinct characteristics that make them uniquely identifiable. "Crimson" is recognized as a rich, bright red with a slight hint of blue, while "Maroon" leans towards a dark, brownish-red hue.
Historically, the word "Crimson" has been associated with luxury, royalty, and opulence due to its deep, striking shade. Conversely, "Maroon" has earthier undertones, resembling the color of chestnuts or the autumn leaves.
In fashion and design, "Crimson" is often used to evoke emotions of passion, love, or energy because of its vivacious shade. "Maroon", with its more muted tone, is favored for its warmth and elegance, making it a popular choice for formal wear or interior design.
When you think of "Crimson", imagine the vibrancy of a sunset or the brilliance of a ruby. On the other hand, "Maroon" can be visualized as the color of old wine or the deep tones observed in fall foliage.
Fundamentally, while "Crimson" stands out because of its intensity and brightness, "Maroon" exudes a sense of sophistication and depth because of its dark, rich shade.
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Comparison Chart
Undertone
Bright red with a hint of blue
Brownish-red
Brightness
Brighter and more vibrant
Darker and more muted
Associations
Luxury, royalty, passion
Earthy, warm, sophisticated
Usage in Design
Evokes energy, passion, and love
Evokes warmth, elegance, and depth
Visual Representation
Similar to ruby or sunset
Resembles old wine or fall foliage
Compare with Definitions
Crimson
A symbol of luxury and royalty.
The royal tapestry was embroidered in Crimson threads.
Maroon
A muted, sophisticated red hue.
The walls of the study were painted in a rich Maroon.
Crimson
A deep, bright shade of red.
The Crimson dress she wore caught everyone's attention.
Maroon
A tone representing warmth and depth.
His Maroon scarf added elegance to his outfit.
Crimson
A color resembling that of blood or a ruby.
The sky turned a fiery Crimson at sunset.
Maroon
A dark brownish-red color.
He wore a Maroon suit to the event.
Crimson
A red hue with a touch of blue.
The roses were a Crimson shade, different from the regular reds.
Maroon
A color similar to that of old wine.
She chose Maroon curtains for her bedroom.
Crimson
A vibrant variant of red.
The flag had stripes of white and Crimson.
Maroon
Maroon (US/UK mə-ROON, Australia mə-ROHN) is a brownish crimson color that takes its name from the French word marron, or chestnut. "Marron" is also one of the French translations for "brown".
Crimson
Crimson is a rich, deep red color, inclining to purple. It originally meant the color of the kermes dye produced from a scale insect, Kermes vermilio, but the name is now sometimes also used as a generic term for slightly bluish-red colors that are between red and rose.
Maroon
Of a brownish-red colour
Ornate maroon and gold wallpaper
Crimson
Of a rich deep red colour inclining to purple
She blushed crimson with embarrassment
Maroon
A member of any of various communities in parts of the Caribbean who were originally descended from escaped slaves. In the 18th century Jamaican Maroons fought two wars against the British, both of which ended with treaties affirming the independence of the Maroons.
Crimson
A rich deep red colour inclining to purple
A pair of corduroy trousers in livid crimson, they were horrid to behold
Maroon
Leave (someone) trapped and alone in an inaccessible place, especially an island
A novel about schoolboys marooned on a desert island
Crimson
(of a person's face) become flushed, especially through embarrassment
My face crimsoned and my hands began to shake
Maroon
To put ashore on a deserted island or coast and intentionally abandon.
Crimson
A deep to vivid purplish red to vivid red.
Maroon
To abandon or isolate with little hope of ready rescue or escape
The travelers were marooned by the blizzard.
Crimson
To make or become deeply or vividly red.
Maroon
A fugitive black slave in the West Indies in the 1600s and 1700s.
Crimson
A deep, slightly bluish red.
Maroon
A descendant of such a slave.
Crimson
Having a deep red colour.
Maroon
A person who is marooned, as on an island.
Crimson
Immodest. en
Maroon
A dark reddish brown to dark purplish red.
Crimson
(intransitive) To become crimson or deep red; to blush.
Maroon
An escaped negro of the Caribbean and the Americas or a descendant of such a person.
Crimson
(transitive) To dye with crimson or deep red; to redden.
Maroon
A castaway; a person who has been marooned.
Crimson
A deep red color tinged with blue; also, red color in general.
Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
A maid yet rosed over with the virgin crimson of modesty.
Maroon
A rich dark red, somewhat brownish, color.
Crimson
Of a deep red color tinged with blue; deep red.
The blushing poppy with a crimson hue.
Maroon
(nautical) A rocket-propelled firework or skyrocket, often one used as a signal (e.g. to summon the crew of a lifeboat or warn of an air raid).
Crimson
To dye with crimson or deep red; to redden.
Signed in thy spoil and crimsoned in thy lethe.
Maroon
An idiot; a fool.
Crimson
To become crimson; to blush.
Ancient towers . . . beginning to crimson with the radiant luster of a cloudless July morning.
Maroon
Associated with Maroon culture, communities or peoples.
Crimson
A deep and vivid red
Maroon
Of a maroon color
Crimson
Turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame;
The girl blushed when a young man whistled as she walked by
Maroon
To abandon in a remote, desolate place, as on a desert island.
Crimson
Having any of numerous bright or strong colors reminiscent of the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
Maroon
In the West Indies and Guiana, a fugitive slave, or a free negro, living in the mountains.
Crimson
Characterized by violence or bloodshed;
Writes of crimson deeds and barbaric days
Fann'd by Conquest's crimson wing
Convulsed with red rage
Maroon
A brownish or dull red of any description, esp. of a scarlet cast rather than approaching crimson or purple.
Crimson
(especially of the face) reddened or suffused with or as if with blood from emotion or exertion;
Crimson with fury
Turned red from exertion
With puffy reddened eyes
Red-faced and violent
Flushed (or crimson) with embarrassment
Maroon
An explosive shell. See Marron, 3.
Maroon
To put (a person) ashore on a desolate island or coast and leave him to his fate.
Maroon
Having the color called maroon. See 4th Maroon.
Maroon
A person who is stranded (as on an island);
When the tide came in I was a maroon out there
Maroon
A dark purplish red to dark brownish red
Maroon
An exploding firework used as a warning signal
Maroon
Leave stranded or isolated withe little hope og rescue;
The travellers were marooned
Maroon
Leave stranded on a desert island without resources;
The mutinous sailors were marooned on an island
Maroon
Dark brownish to purplish red
Maroon
A shade reminiscent of chestnuts or autumn leaves.
The forest turned a beautiful Maroon in the fall.
Common Curiosities
Which color is brighter, "Crimson" or "Maroon"?
"Crimson" is brighter than "Maroon".
Would "Crimson" be closer to the shade of a ruby?
Yes, "Crimson" is very similar to the color of a ruby.
Is "Crimson" closer to the color of blood?
Yes, "Crimson" resembles the color of fresh blood or a ruby.
Which color, "Crimson" or "Maroon", is associated with autumn?
"Maroon" is often associated with autumn.
Is "Crimson" often used in flags and symbols?
Yes, due to its brightness and vibrancy, "Crimson" is commonly used in flags and emblems.
Does "Maroon" have brown undertones?
Yes, "Maroon" has brownish-red undertones.
Which color is deeper, "Crimson" or "Maroon"?
"Maroon" is a deeper shade compared to "Crimson".
Can "Maroon" be likened to the color of old wine?
Yes, "Maroon" can be visualized as the color of aged wine.
Which color would stand out more in a crowd, "Crimson" or "Maroon"?
"Crimson", being brighter, would likely stand out more.
Is "Maroon" a good color for interior design?
Yes, its warmth and sophistication make "Maroon" a popular choice for interiors.
Can "Crimson" be described as a royal color?
Yes, historically "Crimson" has associations with royalty and luxury.
Is "Maroon" a popular color for formal wear?
Yes, due to its muted and sophisticated shade, "Maroon" is popular for formal attire.
Are both "Crimson" and "Maroon" derivatives of red?
Yes, both are variants of the red color family, but differ in intensity and undertone.
In fashion, which color represents passion better, "Crimson" or "Maroon"?
"Crimson", due to its intensity and brightness, is more representative of passion.
Can "Crimson" be described as fiery?
Yes, especially when likened to the colors of a sunset or blaze.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
