adjective
ruddy
RUH-dee
Ruddy (adjective) means having a healthy reddish color, especially in the face. Example: “The children came in from the cold with ruddy cheeks.”
adjective
1
Having a healthy reddish color, especially in the face.
"The children came in from the cold with ruddy cheeks."
"A silvery cloud drifted over the mountains that surrounded him, its edges glowing with ruddy light cast from the harvest moon cradled between two peaks."
— Christopher Paolini, Discovery (2003)
"Drystone walls, farm buildings and stone cottages, roofed with ruddy tiles, line the way and blend gently into the surrounding countryside."
— AA Book of British Villages, Drive Publications Ltd (1980)
"Frank, who is narrow and ruddy, and who tended to wear a shirt and tie with a cherry-red beanie pulled low over one ear, swapped his white butcher’s coat for a puffer jacket, and led me outside"
— Tom Lamont, The butcher's shop that lasted 300 years (give or take) (2020)
2
(British, informal) Used to add emphasis, often expressing annoyance.
"That's a ruddy nuisance."
How to use ruddy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHaving a healthy red-cheeked glow — or, informally in Britain, a way to add emphasis similar to "bloody" but milder.
When to use it
The intensifier sense is old-fashioned British slang, softer than "bloody."
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Word forms
- Plural
- ruddies
- Third person singular
- ruddies
- Past tense
- ruddied
- Comparative
- ruddier
- Superlative
- ruddiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The children came in from the cold with _____ cheeks.
Etymology
From Old English rudiġ, related to "rud" (redness) — the mild-swear sense developed later as a polite substitute for "bloody."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for ruddy
See all rhymes for ruddy →Frequently asked questions
What does “ruddy” mean?
The word “ruddy” means having a healthy reddish color, especially in the face. In plain terms, having a healthy red-cheeked glow — or, informally in Britain, a way to add emphasis similar to "bloody" but milder.
How do you pronounce “ruddy”?
“Ruddy” is pronounced RUH-dee (/ˈɹʌdi/ in IPA).
How do you use “ruddy” in a sentence?
Here is “ruddy” used in a sentence: “The children came in from the cold with ruddy cheeks.”
What is another word for “ruddy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ruddy” include bally, bleeding, blimming, bloody and blooming.
What part of speech is “ruddy”?
“Ruddy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ruddy” come from?
The word “ruddy” comes from Old English. From Old English rudiġ, related to "rud" (redness) — the mild-swear sense developed later as a polite substitute for "bloody.".
How many meanings does “ruddy” have?
“Ruddy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a healthy reddish color, especially in the face.
