adj
Uncommon
ridden
RIHD-n
Ridden (adj) means used as the second part of a compound to mean full of, or troubled and dominated by, something negative. Example: “The old house was riddled with — sorry, ridden with — termites.”
adj
1
Used as the second part of a compound to mean full of, or troubled and dominated by, something negative.
"The old house was riddled with — sorry, ridden with — termites."
"He was guilt-ridden after the argument."
"The neglected garden was weed-ridden and overgrown by the end of summer."
How to use ridden
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOverwhelmed or plagued by something, as in "crime-ridden" or "debt-ridden."
Common pairings
guilt-ridden
debt-ridden
disease-ridden
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more ridden
- Superlative
- most ridden
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old house was riddled with — sorry, _____ with — termites.
Etymology
The past participle of "ride," extended in compounds like "guilt-ridden" and "disease-ridden" to mean plagued or dominated by something.
Related words
Rhymes for ridden
See all rhymes for ridden →Frequently asked questions
What does “ridden” mean?
The word “ridden” means used as the second part of a compound to mean full of, or troubled and dominated by, something negative. In plain terms, overwhelmed or plagued by something, as in "crime-ridden" or "debt-ridden.".
How do you pronounce “ridden”?
“Ridden” is pronounced RIHD-n (/ˈɹɪd.n̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “ridden” in a sentence?
Here is “ridden” used in a sentence: “The old house was riddled with — sorry, ridden with — termites.”
What part of speech is “ridden”?
“Ridden” is an adjective.
Is “ridden” a common word?
“Ridden” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How is "ridden" used as a suffix in compound words?
As a compound suffix, "-ridden" attaches to a noun to mean that something is full of, or dominated by, a negative condition, as in "debt-ridden" or "guilt-ridden." The word it attaches to identifies the specific problem that dominates the subject.
Is "ridden" always negative in meaning when used this way?
Yes, in its compound-forming use, "ridden" consistently signals something troubling or undesirable, such as being overrun or burdened by it. It is not used to describe positive or neutral abundance.
Can "ridden" be used as a standalone adjective without another word attached?
On its own, "ridden" functions mainly as the past participle of "ride." Its meaning of being "full of" or "troubled by" something negative only applies when it is joined to another word to form a compound, such as "crime-ridden."
