ruddy

American  

[ruhd-ee] / ˈrʌd i /

adjective

ruddier, ruddiest

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

   a ruddy complexion.

2. red or reddish.

3. British Slang. damned.

   a ruddy fool.

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adverb

1. British Slang. damned.

   He'd ruddy well better be there.

ruddy British  

/ 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

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adverb

1. (intensifier) bloody; damned

   a ruddy fool

Other Word Forms

• ruddily adverb
• ruddiness noun

Etymology

Origin of ruddy

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

Example Sentences

Tracing lipstick’s ruddy arc across the years, we can see how wildly its meanings diverge.

From Salon

Training her sights on a ruddy Sean Penn, Glaser remarked on Hollywood’s obsession with looking younger.

From The Wall Street Journal

The admiral’s cheeks turned ruddy with anger, which threw his white muttonchop sideburns into bold relief.

From Literature

That makes “Folktales” decidedly more powdery than densely packed — it’s all ruddy cheeks, slo-mo camaraderie and the healing power of steering a dog sled through breathtaking terrain.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times