bloody
Americanadjective
-
stained or covered with blood.
a bloody handkerchief.
- Synonyms:
- gory, sanguinary
-
bleeding.
a bloody nose.
- Synonyms:
- gory, sanguinary
-
characterized by bloodshed.
bloody battle; a bloody rule.
- Synonyms:
- gory, sanguinary
-
inclined to bloodshed; bloodthirsty.
a bloody dictator.
-
of, relating to, or resembling blood; containing or composed of blood.
bloody tissue.
-
Slang. (used as an intensifier).
a bloody shame; a bloody nuisance.
verb (used with object)
-
to stain or smear with blood.
-
to cause to bleed, as by a blow or accident.
to bloody someone's nose.
adverb
adjective
-
covered or stained with blood
-
resembling or composed of blood
-
marked by much killing and bloodshed
a bloody war
-
cruel or murderous
a bloody tyrant
-
of a deep red colour; blood-red
adverb
verb
Other Word Forms
- bloodily adverb
- bloodiness noun
- unbloodily adverb
- unbloodiness noun
- unbloody adjective
Etymology
Origin of bloody
before 1000; Middle English blody, Old English blōdig. See blood, -y 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The press of a button and the screen changed from the bloody battle of the Alamo to the serene inside of Ford’s Theatre.
From Literature
The neighboring nations fought a bloody 1980s war, initiated by Hussein, with support from Washington.
From Los Angeles Times
The regime had held on for nearly half a century; it was too soon to know just how bloody its exit might be.
From Los Angeles Times
The bloody events of January have further disillusioned and frustrated Pezeshkian’s supporters.
From Barron's
The bloody events of January have further disillusioned and frustrated Pezeshkian’s supporters.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
