[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/ruddy/)

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# ruddy

adjective (ruddy, ruddier, ruddiest); adverb (ruddy — UK, informal)

«ruddy» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A ruddy face is healthy and red or pink, often from being outdoors. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruddy/#m1)
2. Ruddy can mean reddish in colour. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruddy/#m2)
3. (UK, mild swearing, old-fashioned) Ruddy is a softer word for «bloody», used to show annoyance or for emphasis. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruddy/#m3)

### In the lessons

In stories a farmer or sailor has «ruddy cheeks» from wind and sun. In UK everyday talk, older people may say «the ruddy car won't start» when cross; it is a mild word, a polite replacement for a ruder one. Phrases: ruddy cheeks, ruddy complexion, ruddy hell (UK, mild).

### Examples

- The fisherman had a ruddy face from the sea wind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruddy/#x1)
- Her cheeks were ruddy after the snowball fight. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruddy/#x2)
- The sky had a ruddy glow at sunset. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruddy/#x3)
- This ruddy printer has jammed again! (UK, mild swearing) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruddy/#x4)
- Grandad said, «It's ruddy freezing out there!» (UK) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruddy/#x5)
- The ruddy fox crept across the field. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruddy/#x6)
- Rudy turned round, and beheld a man with a ruddy, pleasant face, and a stout figure. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruddy/#x7)

### Note

Adjective forms: ruddier, ruddiest. The swearing sense is mild and old-fashioned, a euphemism for «bloody»; it is still better not used in class. The colour sense is not rude at all.

## In Jewish tradition

It means reddish; Esau was born red all over and covered in hair. It can also mean healthy and handsome, as David was, or a glowing red-pink colour, as in the Song of Songs and Lamentations.

**Interpretation.** The rabbis linked Esau's redness to bloodshed and to the name Edom, "red," from which his people came. David's ruddy look is read as a sign of his fitness to be king.

### Examples

- And the first came forth ruddy, all over like a hairy mantle; and they called his name Esau. (Torah GEN.25.25, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/ruddy/#x1)
- 'My beloved is white and ruddy, pre-eminent above ten thousand. (Writings SNG.5.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/ruddy/#x2)
- Now he was ruddy, and withal of beautiful eyes, and goodly to look upon. (Prophets 1SA.16.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/ruddy/#x3)
- Her princes were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was as of sapphire; (Writings LAM.4.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/ruddy/#x4)

### Note

Adjective forms: ruddier, ruddiest. The swearing sense is mild and old-fashioned, a euphemism for «bloody»; it is still better not used in class. The colour sense is not rude at all.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «ruddy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruddy/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«ruddy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/ruddy.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «ruddy» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/ruddy/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«ruddy» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/ruddy.html) on Mova free.