redish

Redish is a nonstandard spelling that is sometimes encountered as a variant of the English adjective reddish. In standard usage, the correct form to describe a color that is somewhat red is reddish, formed from red plus the derivational suffix -ish. The spelling redish is generally regarded as a misspelling or typographical error in formal writing.

Usage and guidance

In formal writing and most style guides, reddish is preferred whenever a hue is described as being partially red. For example: The leaves turned reddish in autumn. The form redish may appear in informal writing, casual notes, or quick drafts, but it is not considered acceptable in polished prose. Some writers may deliberately use redish as a stylistic choice to convey immediacy or dialect in specific contexts, though this usage is uncommon and can hinder clarity.

As a proper noun

Redish can also function as a proper noun in rare cases, such as a surname or a fictional place name. However, there is no widely recognized geographical location or well-known public figure associated with the name, and it should not be treated as a standard term in color nomenclature.

Related terms

Red or reddish are the standard color descriptors. When describing tones that blend red with other colors, compounds such as reddish-orange or red-orange are commonly used to avoid ambiguity.

See also

Red, reddish, color terminology, spelling and usage guides.