bloody
v.v. covered in blood or having blood on it. In British English, people also use it as a swear word to show they are annoyed or to make a point stronger.
v. covered in, smeared with, or containing blood. In British English, it serves as an intensifier to express anger, frustration, or emphasis; informal and considered mildly vulgar.
He had a bloody nose after the accident.
The surgeon removed his bloody gloves and dropped them into the bin before washing his hands.
The historical novel provides a bloody account of the battle, detailing the physical toll on the soldiers and the grim reality of the field hospital.
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.
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”).
Clipping of bloody mary.
When used as an intensifier, it typically precedes the noun or adjective it modifies.
It was a very bloody good film.It was a bloody good film.When used as an intensifier, 'bloody' is not usually modified by 'very'.