noun A small swelling on a plant that will develop into a leaf, flower, or shoot.
- Frost can damage the tender buds on the apple trees.
- The rose bushes were covered in tight red buds by early spring.
- She watched the tulip buds slowly open in the morning sun.
noun Something in an early stage of development.
- The idea was only a bud then, but it grew into a business.
- Every great career begins as a bud of ambition in someone's mind.
- Their friendship was still just a bud, but it clearly had potential.
noun Slang for marijuana, especially the dried flowering part of the cannabis plant.
- He kept a small jar of bud in the cupboard.
- The shop was raided because it was selling bud without a license.
- Some people grow bud at home, though it is illegal in many places.
verb To produce or begin developing buds, or to start growing in a similar early way.
- The lilac outside our window begins to bud as the days grow warmer.
- Once the roses bud, we will need to water them more often.
- The cherry trees usually start to bud in late March.
noun An informal, friendly term of address for a man, similar to "buddy" or "pal."
- Hey bud, can you hold this door open for me?
- Don't worry about it, bud, we'll sort it out tomorrow.
- Thanks for the ride, bud.
