bloody: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal to vulgar. The intensifier usage is considered a mild swear word/taboo in British English, especially in older or more formal contexts.
Quick answer
What does “bloody” mean?
Literally: covered with, containing, or resembling blood. Figuratively (chiefly British, informal/intensifier): used to express strong feeling or as a general intensifier, often conveying annoyance or emphasis.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Literally: covered with, containing, or resembling blood. Figuratively (chiefly British, informal/intensifier): used to express strong feeling or as a general intensifier, often conveying annoyance or emphasis.
Can imply violence, cruelty, or fierce determination (e.g., 'a bloody battle'). As an intensifier, it is used with adjectives, adverbs, and nouns to add strong, often negative, emphasis.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The intensifier use is far more common and integrated in British, Australian, and New Zealand English. In American English, the literal meaning is primary; the intensifier use is rare, often perceived as a conscious Britishism or archaic.
Connotations
UK: A versatile, common intensifier, ranging from mild exasperation to strong anger. Its taboo status has weakened but persists in polite company. US: Primarily literal; the intensifier sounds foreign, possibly quaint or deliberately imitative of British speech.
Frequency
Very high frequency in informal UK speech. Low frequency in US speech, except in fixed phrases like 'bloody murder' or historical/literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “bloody” in a Sentence
Intensifier: bloody + ADJ/ADV (It's bloody cold)Intensifier: bloody + NOUN (You bloody idiot!)Literal: ADJ + bloody + NOUN (a bloody handkerchief)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bloody” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The boxer bloodied his opponent's nose.
- The scandal bloodied the party's reputation.
American English
- The crash bloodied his forehead.
- The criticism bloodied the CEO's public image.
adverb
British English
- It's bloody raining again!
- He ran bloody fast.
American English
- (Rare) He's bloody lucky, she said, affecting a British accent.
adjective
British English
- He had a bloody lip from the fall. (literal)
- This is a bloody disgrace! (intensifier)
American English
- The bandage was bloody. (literal)
- It was a bloody conflict. (literal)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Avoid intensifier use entirely. Literal use only in specific contexts (e.g., medical supplies).
Academic
Intensifier use avoided. Literal use acceptable in historical, medical, or literary studies.
Everyday
Intensifier use is common in informal UK speech but may offend in mixed/polite company. Literal use is universal.
Technical
Literal use in medicine, forensics, history.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bloody”
- Using the intensifier in formal writing or with superiors.
- Overusing it in American English where it sounds unnatural.
- Placing it incorrectly: 'It's a bloody big house' (correct) vs. 'It's a big bloody house' (less common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but its severity has decreased. In British English, it's considered a mild swear word, inappropriate in formal contexts but common in casual speech. It was historically more offensive.
Use it only in its literal sense ('a bloody wound'). The intensifier use sounds deliberately British and is rarely used naturally by Americans. It may confuse listeners.
Both are intensifiers. 'Bloody' is more British and can be slightly stronger/more emotive in some contexts. 'Damn' is more common in American English. Both are informal.
Yes. Euphemisms like 'blooming', 'blinking', 'ruddy', or simply using stronger neutral adverbs like 'incredibly', 'awfully', or 'terribly'.
Literally: covered with, containing, or resembling blood. Figuratively (chiefly British, informal/intensifier): used to express strong feeling or as a general intensifier, often conveying annoyance or emphasis.
Bloody is usually informal to vulgar. the intensifier usage is considered a mild swear word/taboo in british english, especially in older or more formal contexts. in register.
Bloody: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblʌdi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblʌdi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “scream bloody murder”
- “a bloody nose (literal & figurative)”
- “bloody-minded (stubbornly obstructive)”
- “out for blood/bloody revenge”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BRITISH person, annoyed by the rain, saying 'It's BLOODY wet!' – the red-faced emotion matches the red colour of blood.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONAL INTENSITY IS PHYSICAL VIOLENCE / BLOOD. Anger or strong feeling is conceptualized as a bloody, visceral event.
Practice
Quiz
Which usage of 'bloody' is MOST characteristic of informal British English?