Word Adjective
ruddy
adj.
C2 Proficiency US /ˈɹədi/ UK /ɹˈʌdi/ rud·dy UK spelling ruddied
Definition
adj.having a healthy, reddish color in the face. It is also used as a mild swear word in British English to show you are annoyed.
adj.having a healthy, reddish complexion, often associated with outdoor life or physical exertion. In British English, it also functions as a mild intensifier to express annoyance or emphasis.
Examples
“He has a ruddy face from working outside all day.”
“The farmer's ruddy cheeks glowed in the cold morning air as he tended to his livestock.”
“The portrait captured the subject's ruddy complexion and weathered features, suggesting a life spent largely at the mercy of the elements.”
Usage
When used as an intensifier, it is informal and primarily British; it typically precedes the noun or adjective it modifies.
This entry
Level C2 · Proficiency
Frequency Occasional
Updated