Word
ruddy
Phoneticsrud·dy, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹədi/
UK/ɹˈʌdi/
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.”
Examples
simple
“He has a ruddy face from working outside all day.”
contextual
“The farmer's ruddy cheeks glowed in the cold morning air as he tended to his livestock.”
complex
“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.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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