Ruddier

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Exhibiting a shade that is more vibrant or reddish than another hue
2. Displaying a complexion that is notably redder and livelier than usual shades
3. Having a tint that is deeper or richer in red compared to a standard shade

Etymology: "Ruddier" is the comparative of "ruddy", so it simply means "more ruddy", that is, redder than something else. The base word goes back to Old English "rudiġ", meaning reddish or ruddy, built from "rudu", meaning redness, plus the adjective-forming suffix "-iġ", which later became "-y". The same root sits behind the Icelandic "roði", also meaning redness, which shows how old this family of words is in the Germanic languages. The comparative ending itself is the older English pattern of "-er" added to a short adjective, which is why "ruddier" follows the same logic as "redder". The word has stayed close to its original sense of a healthy reddish colour, most often used of a face or complexion.

Synonyms: redder, rosier, flusher

Antonyms: paler, blander, duller