Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having a healthy red color: Describes a complexion or appearance that is red in a healthy, often natural way, typically from good health, outdoor activity, or exposure to the elements.
   • Reddish in color: Describes something that is red or tinged with red, often in a bright or vivid way.

Usage

• The word "ruddy" is primarily used as an adjective to describe a person's complexion or the color of an object. It often carries a positive connotation of health and vitality when describing skin. When describing objects, it simply denotes a reddish hue.
• It is sometimes used in informal British English as a mild intensifier, similar to "bloody," though this usage is considered dated or slang.

Examples

• Describing a healthy complexion:
  • After a week of hiking, he returned with a ruddy glow.
  • Her ruddy cheeks suggested she spent a lot of time outdoors.
• Describing a reddish color:
  • The ruddy light of the sunset filled the room.
  • The bird had ruddy feathers on its breast.

Advanced Usage

• As an intensifier (informal, chiefly British):
  • That's a ruddy nuisance! (Meaning: That's a very annoying thing!)
  • Where's the ruddy key gone? (Meaning: Where has the key gone?)

Variants and Related Words

• Ruddiness (noun): The quality or state of being ruddy.
  • The ruddiness of his face was a sign of good circulation.

Different Meanings

1. Primary Meaning (Adjective): A healthy reddish color, especially in a person's face.
2. Secondary Meaning (Adjective): Having a reddish tint or hue.
3. Tertiary Meaning (Adverb/Intensifier - informal): Used for emphasis, expressing annoyance.

Synonyms

• Florid: Having a red or flushed complexion.
• Rubicund: Red or reddish, often specifically describing the face.
• Sanguine: (Archaic in this sense) Having a healthy red color.
• Rosy: Having a pinkish-red color, often suggesting health or optimism.

Idioms

• Ruddy health: A state of robust, vigorous good health, often visibly apparent in one's complexion.
  • He was the picture of ruddy health after his sailing trip.

Adjective

1. of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
2. inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
   • a ruddy complexion
   • Santa's rubicund cheeks
   • a fresh and sanguine complexion