redder

Redder is the comparative form of the adjective red. It describes a greater degree of red color or hue relative to something else. In everyday use, redder is used to compare two objects, scenes, or colors, as in “The berries are redder this year.” The word is formed by adding the comparative suffix -er to red. In longer phrases or for emphasis, speakers may also say “more red,” but redder remains standard for simple two-item comparisons.

Etymology and morphology: Red derives from Old English rēad and is related to several other Germanic terms for the color. The comparative suffix -er is a common productive ending in English for short adjectives, producing redder from red without changing the base.

Usage considerations: Redder is most appropriate when contrasting two instances of red or when describing a color as more intensely red. In some contexts, especially where precision matters, writers may opt for phrases like “more red” or “reddish” to indicate a less definite degree of redness or a shift toward the red portion of the spectrum. In color science and imaging, describing a color as redder can imply a shift toward higher red channel values or a warmer, red-dominated appearance.

Limitations: Because red is a basic color term, redder can be less informative about the exact hue or saturation than more specific color descriptions. It is best used when the comparison involves a clear relative difference in redness rather than a precise color specification. See also redness, redden.