How to Pronounce Red

To pronounce "red", say RED — one syllable, IPA /ɹɛd/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

red

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

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1

Syllable

3

Letters

/ɹɛd/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “red”

"red" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with dread and lead, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: read, reade, redd — easy to mix up when writing.

What does red mean?

noun

  1. Any of a range of colours having the longest wavelengths, 670 nm, of the visible spectrum; a primary additive colour for transmitted light: the colour obtained by subtracting green and blue from white light using magenta and yellow filters; the colour of blood, ripe strawberries, etc.
  2. A revolutionary socialist or (most commonly) a Communist; (usually capitalized) a Bolshevik, a supporter of the Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War.

adjective

  1. Having red as its color.

    “The girl wore a red skirt.”

  2. (of hair) Having an orange-brown or orange-blond colour; ginger.

    “Her hair had red highlights.”

Synonyms

bloodbrickcardinalcarminecerisecherryclaretcochineal

Antonyms

nonredunredantired

Hear “red” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with red

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

dreadleadheaddeadtreadbloodshedaforesaidembedgodheadthreadshedread

Related words

reddenedcrimsonreddishruddyrednessscarletflushedruby-red

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "red"?▾

"Red" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "red"?▾

The IPA transcription of "red" is /ɹɛd/.

What does "red" mean?▾

Red: Any of a range of colours having the longest wavelengths, 670 nm, of the visible spectrum; a primary additive colour for transmitted light: the colour obtained by subtracting green and blue from white light using magenta and yellow filters; the colour of blood, ripe strawberries, etc.

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