bloody
Bloody (adj) means Covered in or stained with blood. Example: “He arrived with a bloody bandage wrapped around his hand.”
How to use bloody
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCovered in blood, or violent; as an intensifier, a mild British swear word for emphasis.
The intensifier use is informal and mainly British/Australian, mildly coarse.
Word forms
bloodier comparative, more bloody comparative, bloodied past tense, bloodies singular, bloodiest superlative, most bloody superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He arrived with a _____ bandage wrapped around his hand.
Etymology
From Old English blodig, formed from "blood" plus the adjective suffix "-y."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bloody
See all rhymes for bloody →Frequently asked questions
What does “bloody” mean?
The word “bloody” means covered in or stained with blood. In plain terms, covered in blood, or violent; as an intensifier, a mild British swear word for emphasis.
How do you pronounce “bloody”?
“Bloody” is pronounced BLUH-dee (/ˈblʌ.di/ in IPA).
How do you use “bloody” in a sentence?
Here is “bloody” used in a sentence: “He arrived with a bloody bandage wrapped around his hand.”
What part of speech is “bloody”?
Depending on how it is used, “bloody” can be an adjective and an adverb.
Where does the word “bloody” come from?
The word “bloody” comes from Old English. From Old English blodig, formed from "blood" plus the adjective suffix "-y.".
Is “bloody” a common word?
“Bloody” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “bloody” have?
“Bloody” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: covered in or stained with blood.
What is the difference between "bloody" and "gory"?
Both describe scenes involving blood, but "bloody" means covered in or stained with blood, or involving much violence and killing, as in "a bloody battle." "Gory" emphasises graphic, gruesome detail of blood and injury, as in "a gory horror film."
Why do British speakers use "bloody" as an intensifier?
Beyond its literal meaning of covered in blood, "bloody" is widely used in British and Australian English as an informal intensifier, as in "bloody brilliant" or "bloody hell." In this use it simply adds emphasis and is considered mildly rude in some settings, so it is avoided in formal writing.
Is "bloody" used differently in American English?
Yes. In American English "bloody" is mainly used in its literal senses of covered in blood or marked by violence, as in "a bloody nose" or "a bloody conflict." The informal intensifier use is chiefly British, Irish, and Australian.
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