bloody

[ bluhd-ee ]

adjective

bloodier, bloodiest.

1. stained or covered with blood:

   a bloody handkerchief.

   Synonyms: gory, sanguinary

2. bleeding:

   a bloody nose.

   Synonyms: gory, sanguinary

3. characterized by bloodshed:

   bloody battle; a bloody rule.

   Synonyms: gory, sanguinary

4. inclined to bloodshed; bloodthirsty:

   a bloody dictator.

   Synonyms: ruthless, inhuman, cruel, ferocious, brutal, savage, homicidal, murderous

5. of, relating to, or resembling blood; containing or composed of blood:

   bloody tissue.

6. Slang. (used as an intensifier):

   a bloody shame; a bloody nuisance.

verb (used with object)

bloodied, bloodying.

1. to stain or smear with blood.
2. to cause to bleed, as by a blow or accident:

   to bloody someone's nose.

adverb

1. Slang. (used as an intensifier):

   bloody awful; bloody wonderful.

bloody

/ ˈblʌdɪ /

adjective

1. covered or stained with blood
2. resembling or composed of blood
3. marked by much killing and bloodshed

   a bloody war

4. cruel or murderous

   a bloody tyrant

5. of a deep red colour; blood-red

adverb

1. slang.
   (intensifier)

   a bloody fool

   bloody fine food

verb

1. tr to stain with blood

Derived Forms

• ˈbloodily, adverb
• ˈbloodiness, noun

Other Word Forms

• bloodi·ly adverb
• bloodi·ness noun
• un·bloodi·ly adverb
• un·bloodi·ness noun
• un·bloody adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bloody¹

before 1000; Middle English blody, Old English blōdig. See blood, -y ¹

Example Sentences

“My knuckles were all bloody and gross and I just had bandannas wrapped around — I was on theme,” Kardashian said.

From Los Angeles Times

She appeared to have a few bloody scrapes to her legs and knees in the video.

From Los Angeles Times

One victim was pushed to the floor and kicked "multiple times", including in the head, leaving them with concussion, bruising and a bloody nose.

From BBC

Russia then annexed Crimea and backed insurgents in bloody fighting in eastern Ukraine.

From BBC

The two warring sides have been locked in a bloody power struggle since April 2023.

From BBC

Related Words

• cruel
• ferocious
• fierce
• gory
• grim
• murderous
• savage