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

But the other side, led by House Speaker Mike Johnson, prefers screaming bloody murder that Democrats are angling to reverse laws to give undocumented immigrants government benefits.

From Salon

The Gulf raids are the latest development in a bloody feud between the Lyons and the Daniel families which has raged for 25 years.

From BBC

"They did every bloody thing they could to jeopardise our chances," he said.

From BBC

Like “Kicks,” Tipping’s excellent 2016 feature debut about a kid who risks his neck for a pair of Nikes, “Him” is about the bloody quest for respect.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s also highly intelligent and fast, propelling itself via slick tentacles like a bloody octopus.

From Salon

Related Words

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