bloody

[ bluhd-ee ]

adjective

, blood·i·er, blood·i·est.

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)

, blood·ied, blood·y·ing.

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 Words From

• 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

Assumption: “The Substance” is too bloody for Demi Moore to earn an Oscar nomination.

From Los Angeles Times

Independence had come with the painful partition that created Pakistan, sparking one of history's largest and bloodiest migrations.

From BBC

The scorecard will split opinion, but the sight of a bloodied Serrano throwing hands despite a ghastly cut and Taylor admirably weathering the storm somewhat saved the event.

From BBC

Mrs MacDonald told the court: "He would say I'm going to kill him, I’m going to bloody kill him for ruining my life".

From BBC

The issue at the time, Ms Nash explains, is that because the battle was so bloody, most of the men were either killed or captured, leaving no one to identify them.

From BBC

Related Words

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