ruddy

[ ruhd-ee ]

adjective

, rud·di·er, rud·di·est.

1. of or having a fresh, healthy red color:

   a ruddy complexion.

2. red or reddish.
3. British Slang. damned:

   a ruddy fool.

adverb

1. British Slang. damned:

   He'd ruddy well better be there.

ruddy

/ ˈrʌdɪ /

adjective

1. (of the complexion) having a healthy reddish colour, usually resulting from an outdoor life
2. coloured red or pink

   a ruddy sky

adverb

1. (intensifier) bloody; damned

   a ruddy fool

Derived Forms

• ˈruddiness, noun
• ˈruddily, adverb

Other Words From

• ruddi·ly adverb
• ruddi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruddy¹

before 1100; Middle English rudi, Old English rudig. See rudd, -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruddy¹

Old English rudig , from rudu redness (see rudd ); related to Old High German rot red ¹, Swedish rod , Old Norse rythga to make rusty

Example Sentences

Blue eyes, ruddy complexion and light brown hair, he reminded her of her grandmother.

From Los Angeles Times

Zia Tile has a catalog of 64 colors, and Case Study includes four new offerings — ruddy Pompeii; cool beige Dune; burnt orange Rust; and Elemental Blue, an Yves Klein-inspired cobalt shade.

From New York Times

She hid under a mop of tangled hair, and her ruddy white cheeks made her look flustered.

From Literature

Approximately 300 million radio listeners tuned in to hear live sporting news from Berlin, and the film cuts to what feels like all of them rooting on these tall, ruddy and heroic amateurs.

From New York Times

The photo shows a ruddy brown bull with long dark-tipped horns standing just beneath the station’s platform.

From Washington Times