bloodshot
Americanadjective
adjective
Etymology
Origin of bloodshot
1545–55; apocopated variant of blood-shotten. See blood, shotten
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Emotions take a back seat," he said, his eyes bloodshot after having worked with his colleagues throughout the night.
From Barron's ● May 25, 2026
He glowers out from beneath his brows, unsmiling, eyes rendered oddly bloodshot, brow furrowed, chin tucked in, as if he is about to head-butt the camera.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 25, 2023
“I told him how great he was and that his art was going to live forever,” Scharf says, his eyes now bloodshot.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 2023
While bloodshot eyes can look alarming, experts say, viral pink eye isn’t usually anything to worry about on its own, and Arcturus is not showing signs of being more dangerous than previous variants.
From Scientific American ● May 12, 2023
His sunken eyes were bloodshot and his hair was disheveled.
From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.