What does "bloody" mean?
Ellipsis of bloody mary.
Bloody
/ˈblʌ.diː/ adj, adv, noun, verb, slang
adj, adv, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Ellipsis of bloody mary.
- Grammar: bloody is listed as adj, adv, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: abrade, accursed, aggressive, agonize.
- Useful contrasts: barely, bloodless, bloodless revolution.
- Usage evidence: My sister started screaming bloody murder when she found out I'd read her diary.
How to use "bloody"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "bloody" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "bloody" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "bloody" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "bloody" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "bloody" is acting as adj, adv, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abrade" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "bloody", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Ellipsis of bloody mary. abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, informal
Verb
- 1 To stain with blood. transitive
"The butcher often bloodied his apron in the course of his work."
- 2 cover with blood wordnet
- 3 To draw blood from (one's opponent) in a fight. transitive
- 4 To demonstrably harm (the cause of an opponent). transitive
Adjective
- 1 Covered in blood.
"All that remained of his right hand after the accident was a bloody stump."
- 2 Characterised by bloodshed.
"There have been bloody battles between the two tribes."
- 3 Used as an intensifier. British, Commonwealth, Hawaii, Ireland, informal, mildly, vulgar
"Traffic in central London was a bloody mess this morning."
- 4 Badly behaved; unpleasant; beastly. dated
"Come to apologize to Charles. I was bloody to him and he's my guest. He's my guest and my only friend and I was bloody to him."
Adjective
- 1 having or covered with or accompanied by blood wordnet
- 2 informal intensifiers wordnet
Adverb
- 1 Used to express anger, annoyance, or shock, or for emphasis. Australia, British, India, Ireland, New-Zealand, Newfoundland, South-Africa, informal, mildly, vulgar
"Walk! Not bloody likely. [Sensation]. I am going in a taxi. [She goes out]."
Adverb
- 1 extremely wordnet
Example
"My sister started screaming bloody murder when she found out I'd read her diary."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "bloody"?
Common synonyms include: abrade, accursed, aggressive, agonize, all-fired, all-firedly.
How do you use "bloody" in a sentence?
My sister started screaming bloody murder when she found out I'd read her diary.
How do you pronounce "bloody"?
Pronounced /ˈblʌ.diː/.
Etymology
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.