ruddy
ruddy Lexical Profile
ruddy Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Having a healthy red or rosy color, especially of a person's face or complexion.
"The brisk autumn wind gave the hikers a ruddy glow as they reached the summit."
Having a reddish color or tint.
"The setting sun cast a warm, ruddy light across the sandstone cliffs."
British Used as a mild intensive or euphemism for 'bloody' to express annoyance, frustration, or emphasis.
"That ruddy alarm clock went off an hour early again this morning."
• adverb
British Extremely or very (used informally for emphasis as a mild euphemism for 'bloody').
"You know ruddy well that we cannot afford to miss the last train home."
• verb
To make or become reddish or rosy in color.
"The cold winter air ruddied the cheeks of the children playing outside."
Word Nuance & Usage
In British, Australian, and New Zealand English, 'ruddy' is also used informally as a mild, euphemistic substitute for the intensifier 'bloody' to express annoyance or emphasis.
• Rhymes for ruddy
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'rudig', meaning red or rosy, derived from the Proto-Germanic root '*rud-', which is also the ultimate source of the word 'red'.