noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

bud

buhd

Bud (noun) means a small swelling on a plant that will develop into a leaf, flower, or shoot. Example: “The rose bushes were covered in tight red buds by early spring.”

noun

A small swelling on a plant that will develop into a leaf, flower, or shoot.

"The rose bushes were covered in tight red buds by early spring."

"She watched the tulip buds slowly open in the morning sun."

Something in an early stage of development.

"Their friendship was still just a bud, but it clearly had potential."

Slang for marijuana, especially the dried flowering part of the cannabis plant.

"He kept a small jar of bud in the cupboard."

An informal, friendly term of address for a man, similar to "buddy" or "pal."

""Thanks for the ride, bud.""

verb

To produce or begin developing buds, or to start growing in a similar early way.

"The cherry trees usually start to bud in late March."

How to use bud

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMost commonly either the small growth on a plant before it flowers, or a casual, friendly way to address someone.

Common mistake

The phrase "nip in the bud" means to stop a problem early — not "nip it in the butt," a common mishearing.

Common pairings

nip it in the bud a flower bud what's up, bud

Word forms

budded past tense, buds plural, buds plural, Buds plural, buds singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The rose bushes were covered in tight red _____ by early spring.

Etymology

From Middle English "budde," probably going back to a Germanic root meaning "to swell," the same idea behind a plant bud swelling before it opens.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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sprout shoot burgeon germinate

Related words

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Frequently asked questions

What does “bud” mean?

The word “bud” means a small swelling on a plant that will develop into a leaf, flower, or shoot. In plain terms, most commonly either the small growth on a plant before it flowers, or a casual, friendly way to address someone.

How do you pronounce “bud”?

“Bud” is pronounced buhd (/bʌd/ in IPA).

How do you use “bud” in a sentence?

Here is “bud” used in a sentence: “The rose bushes were covered in tight red buds by early spring.”

What part of speech is “bud”?

Depending on how it is used, “bud” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “bud” come from?

The word “bud” comes from Middle English. From Middle English "budde," probably going back to a Germanic root meaning "to swell," the same idea behind a plant bud swelling before it opens.

Is “bud” a common word?

“Bud” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “bud” have?

“Bud” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small swelling on a plant that will develop into a leaf, flower, or shoot.

What is the difference between a bud and a blossom?

A bud is the small swelling on a plant that will develop into a leaf, flower, or shoot — the stage before opening. A blossom is the flower itself once it has opened, especially on fruit trees, so a bud becomes a blossom.

Is bud short for buddy?

Yes. As a friendly, informal way to address a man or boy — "thanks, bud" — bud functions as a short form of buddy, meaning friend. It is chiefly American and very casual, so it is out of place in formal speech or writing.

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3 letter words Words that start with B

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