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

“That’s no bloody wonder why he’s playing William Shakespeare, the ultimate humanist. Not many people can actually do that genuinely.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I have had a bloody wonderful life. I have found love, travelled, partied, had two amazing children, spent time with friends, family and done things I had never dreamed of."

Read more on BBC

The truce has already been marked by several outbreaks of violence in the Palestinian territory, devastated by over two years of hostilities triggered by the bloody attack by Hamas in Israel on October 7, 2023.

Read more on Barron's

The judge delivered a passionate speech, arguing that no Ukrainian could be prosecuted for what he characterised as a legitimate act of self-defence against Russia's "bloody and genocidal" invasion of Ukraine.

Read more on BBC

The children seemed fascinated by the bloody tale, but Penelope gently cleared her throat.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

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