Definition

Adjective 1. (Of an eye or eyes) Red and irritated in appearance due to dilated or inflamed blood vessels on the white part (sclera). This condition is typically caused by fatigue, lack of sleep, excessive alcohol consumption, irritation, or minor injury.

Usage

The adjective "bloodshot" is used almost exclusively to describe eyes. It is typically placed before the noun it modifies (e.g., bloodshot eyes) or used after a linking verb like "be," "look," or "become" (e.g., His eyes were bloodshot).

Examples

• Before a noun:

  • After working all night, she had bloodshot eyes.
  • The chlorine in the pool gave him bloodshot eyes.

• After a linking verb:

  • His eyes became bloodshot from the smoke.
  • You look exhausted; your eyes are completely bloodshot.

Advanced Usage

• Figurative/Descriptive Use: While primarily literal, "bloodshot" can be used in a highly descriptive, almost figurative way to emphasize extreme fatigue, emotional strain, or a wild, intense appearance.
  • He stared at me with a bloodshot, furious gaze.
  • The bloodshot dawn hinted at the turmoil of the night before.

Variants and Related Words

• Blood-red (adj): Having the deep red color of blood. (This is a color descriptor, not specific to eyes).
• Injected (adj, medical): A more clinical term sometimes used to describe eyes where the blood vessels are prominent and red.
• Red-eyed (adj): A simpler, more general synonym for having red eyes.

Synonyms

• Red-eyed
• Inflamed (when referring to the cause of the redness)
• Sore-looking (describing the overall impression)

Antonyms

• Clear (eyes)
• Bright (eyes)
• White (referring to the sclera)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To have blood in one's eye: An idiom meaning to be very angry and ready for a fight. While it shares the word "blood" and relates to a fierce appearance, it is distinct from the descriptive adjective "bloodshot."
  • He came into the meeting with blood in his eye, ready to argue.

Adjective

1. (of an eye) reddened as a result of locally congested blood vessels; inflamed
   • bloodshot eyes