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Synonyms

red carpet

American  

noun

  1. a red strip of carpet placed on the ground for high-ranking dignitaries to walk on when entering or leaving a building, vehicle, or the like.

    1. an area abutting the entrance to a building, usually carpeted in red, where celebrities gather and walk before participating in or taking their seats at a big event.

      The winning actress had of course been interviewed on the red carpet before the Academy Awards.

    2. the activity that goes on in this area.

      Six reporters will be covering the red carpet at the charity's annual gala.

  3. a display of courtesy or deference, as that shown to persons of high station.

    The visiting prince was treated to the red carpet in Rome.
red carpet British  

noun

  1. a strip of red carpeting laid for important dignitaries to walk on when arriving or departing

    1. deferential treatment accorded to a person of importance

    2. ( as modifier )

      the returning hero had a red-carpet reception
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
red carpet Idioms  

  1. Honorary treatment, lavish hospitality, as in We'll have to get out the red carpet for the President's visit. This term comes from the literal practice of rolling out a carpet to welcome a royal or other esteemed guest, and indeed is often put as roll out the red carpet. [Early 1900s]

Other Word Forms

  • red-carpet adjective

Etymology

Origin of red carpet

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That’s what the “Euphoria” star’s longtime stylist said on the red carpet Sunday.

From Los Angeles Times

Cillian Murphy was among a star-studded line up in Birmingham as the red carpet was rolled out for the premiere of Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man.

From BBC

Speaking to Newsbeat on the Brit Awards red carpet, Jade says that, as a musician, residencies can be better for your body.

From BBC

Following a breakout year, Teyana Taylor has ruled one red carpet after another this season.

From Los Angeles Times

Speaking on the red carpet at the Brit Awards on Saturday, Sharon said her husband, who was born and raised in the Aston area of the city, had never forgotten his hometown.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.