bloody

American  

[bluhd-ee] / ˈblʌd i /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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adverb

1. slang (intensifier)

   a bloody fool

   bloody fine food

verb

1. (tr) to stain with blood

Other Word Forms

• bloodily adverb
• bloodiness noun
• unbloodily adverb
• unbloodiness noun
• unbloody adjective

Etymology

Origin of bloody

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

Related Words

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