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

It’s up to you, however, to decide if you want to witness the full effort of his performance from bloody stem to depressing stern.

From Salon

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has relieved three deputies of duty while it investigates the circumstances of the bloody beating of a Valencia man outside a Santa Clarita bar last year.

From Los Angeles Times

At a nearby hospital, staff rushed to treat people staggering in with bloody injuries.

From BBC

Other video taken inside the medical complex depicts a dust-covered man dragging himself on the floor away from the blast, while a bloodied cameraman is escorted to a nursing station.

From Los Angeles Times

Another clip, filmed in front of the main entrance of Nasser hospital, shows a medical worker holding up bloodied clothes to the camera, before an explosion sends people running for cover.

From BBC

Related Words

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