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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bloody¹

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

Example Sentences

Rating: R, for language, some drug use and bloody images Running time: 1 hour, 53 minutes Playing: In limited release Friday, Oct.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After losing control of more than half the country, the army is now making significant gains again, through an especially bloody campaign of airstrikes and heavy bombardment.

Read more on BBC

There is a chance to get to a ceasefire that could lead to the end of the most destructive and bloody war in well over a century of conflict between Arabs and Jews.

Read more on BBC

Raja Jackson — the son of former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson — will face criminal charges for delivering a bloody beatdown to a professional wrestler in Los Angeles earlier this year, authorities said Monday.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They must now see if voters will reward "picking fights" with electoral success or a bloody nose.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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