Ruddy describes a healthy reddish or pinkish color, especially in someone's face or complexion. A person with a ruddy complexion has naturally rosy cheeks that might look flushed from exercise, cold weather, or just good health. You might notice a farmer has a ruddy face from working outdoors in the sun and wind, or that a runner's cheeks turn ruddy after a long race.

The word usually suggests vitality and vigor rather than embarrassment or fever. In stories, characters with ruddy faces often work outdoors or lead active lives. The reddish glow comes from blood flowing near the surface of the skin, which gives the face warmth and color.

British speakers sometimes use ruddy as a mild exclamation, similar to saying “darn” or “blasted”: “That ruddy door is stuck again!” In this usage, it adds emphasis without being truly rude. In American English, you'll mostly encounter ruddy describing that healthy, rosy-cheeked appearance that suggests someone spends plenty of time being active outdoors.