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

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

Zia Tile has a catalog of 64 colors, and Case Study includes four new offerings — ruddy Pompeii; cool beige Dune; burnt orange Rust; and Elemental Blue, an Yves Klein-inspired cobalt shade.

From New York Times

She hid under a mop of tangled hair, and her ruddy white cheeks made her look flustered.

From Literature