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REFERENCE

bloody

adj. · adv. · v.
US //ˈbɫədi// UK //blˈʌdi// bloody
  1. 1 covered in blood (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    covered or stained with blood.

    covered, smeared, or stained with blood; literal physical state.

    Example

    He had a bloody nose after he accidentally walked into the glass door.

    Example

    The surgeon removed his bloody gloves and dropped them into the clinical waste bin before scrubbing for the next procedure.
  2. 2 violent (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    involving a lot of violence and death.

    characterised by significant bloodshed or extreme violence.

    Example

    The two countries have a long and bloody history of fighting over the border.

    Example

    Historians often debate whether the revolution could have achieved its aims without such a bloody and protracted civil war.
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  1. 3 annoying (intensifier) (adj.)
    C1 Advanced British English Informal Vulgar

    a swear word used to show you are angry or to emphasize what you are saying.

    used as an attributive intensifier to express annoyance, anger, or emphasis; common in British and Commonwealth dialects.

    Example

    I can't find my bloody keys anywhere and I'm already late for work.

    Example

    He described the entire ordeal as a bloody nightmare, expressing his frustration with the bureaucratic delays that had stalled the project for months.

    Teacher's tip

    While common in British English, this is still a swear word; it is inappropriate in formal or professional settings.
  2. 4 very (intensifier) (adv.)
    C1 Advanced British English Informal Vulgar

    used before an adjective to mean 'very' when you are feeling strong emotions.

    used as an adverbial intensifier to add emphasis to an adjective or adverb, typically conveying irritation or surprise.

    Example

    It is bloody cold outside today, so make sure you wear a heavy coat.

    Example

    The exam was bloody difficult, and most of the students walked out of the hall looking completely defeated.

    Usage

    Always placed immediately before the adjective or adverb it modifies.
  3. 5 to stain with blood (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    to get blood on something.

    to stain or smear something with blood; often used figuratively to mean damaging an opponent's reputation or cause.

    Example

    The soldiers had bloodied their hands in the long battle.

    Example

    The scandal managed to bloody the reputation of the prime minister, though it did not lead to his immediate resignation.
Etymology 1

From Middle English blody, blodi, from Old English blōdiġ, blōdeġ (“bloody”), from Proto-West Germanic blōdag, from Proto-Germanic blōþagaz (“bloody”), equivalent to blood + -y. Cognate with Saterland Frisian bläidich, blöidig, blouderch (“bloody”), West Frisian bloedich (“bloody”), Dutch bloedig (“bloody”), German Low German blödig (“bloody”), German blutig (“bloody”), Danish blodig (“bloody”), Swedish blodig (“bloody”), Faroese blóðigur (“bloody”), Icelandic blóðugur (“bloody”). See Wikipedia for thoughts on sense evolution.

Etymology 2

From Middle English blodien, blodegen (attested as blodeke, bi-blodgi), from Old English blōdgian, blōdegian (“to bloody, make bloody”), from Proto-West Germanic blōdagōn (“to make bloody”), from Proto-Germanic blōþagōną (“to make bloody”). Cognate with Middle High German bluotigen (“to make bloody”), Swedish blodga (“to make bloody”), Icelandic blóðga (“to bloody”).

Etymology 3

Clipping of bloody mary.

Idioms2 entries

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