adj

bloodless

Bloodless (adj) means occurring without any bloodshed or violence. Example: “The country experienced a bloodless coup last year.”

adj

Occurring without any bloodshed or violence.

"The country experienced a bloodless coup last year."

Lacking colour, energy, or emotion; pale or lifeless.

"Her face looked bloodless with shock."

"The critic called the performance technically perfect but bloodless."

How to use bloodless

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither without violence, or lacking warmth, colour, and feeling.

Common pairings

bloodless coup a bloodless performance

Word forms

more bloodless comparative, most bloodless superlative

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The country experienced a _____ coup last year.

Etymology

From Middle English blodles, from Old English blōdlēas (“bloodless”). Cognate with Dutch bloedeloos (“bloodless”), German blutlos (“bloodless”), Danish blodløs (“bloodless”), Swedish blodlös (“bloodless”), Icelandic blóðlaus (“bloodless”). By surface analysis, blood + -less.

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for bloodless

godless

See all rhymes for bloodless →

Frequently asked questions

What does “bloodless” mean?

The word “bloodless” means occurring without any bloodshed or violence. In plain terms, either without violence, or lacking warmth, colour, and feeling.

How do you use “bloodless” in a sentence?

Here is “bloodless” used in a sentence: “The country experienced a bloodless coup last year.”

What part of speech is “bloodless”?

“Bloodless” is an adjective.

How many meanings does “bloodless” have?

“Bloodless” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: occurring without any bloodshed or violence.