rude
11 synonyms and 0 antonyms for rude, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Not polite; showing a lack of respect for others.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use rude
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French rude, going back to Latin rudis, "rough, untrained, raw."
Full origin of rude →Frequently asked questions
What does “rude” mean?
The word “rude” means not polite; showing a lack of respect for others. In plain terms, impolite and disrespectful — or, in an older sense, crudely or simply made.
How do you pronounce “rude”?
“Rude” is pronounced rood (/ɹud/ in IPA).
How do you use “rude” in a sentence?
Here is “rude” used in a sentence: “It was rude of him to interrupt the speaker.”
What part of speech is “rude”?
“Rude” is an adjective.
Where does the word “rude” come from?
The word “rude” comes from Latin. From Old French rude, going back to Latin rudis, "rough, untrained, raw.".
Is “rude” a common word?
“Rude” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “rude” have?
“Rude” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not polite; showing a lack of respect for others.
What is the difference between rude and impolite?
Both describe a lack of good manners, but rude is stronger and more direct, often suggesting a deliberate lack of respect. Impolite is milder and usually points to a smaller lapse in courtesy rather than open disrespect.
What is the difference between rude and crude?
Rude mainly means not polite or showing disrespect toward others. Crude leans more toward being unrefined or vulgar, though rude can also share the sense of something roughly made or lacking sophistication.
Can rude describe an object rather than a person's behaviour?
Yes. In a more formal or literary sense, rude means roughly made or lacking refinement, as in a rude shelter or a rude tool. This meaning is separate from the everyday sense of bad manners.
What are common phrases that use rude?
Frequent collocations include a rude awakening, a rude gesture, a rude remark, and rude behaviour. In these phrases rude usually carries the sense of something jarring, disrespectful, or unwelcome.