noun
dud
duhd
noun
1
Something, especially a bomb or device, that fails to work as intended.
"The grenade turned out to be a dud and never exploded."
2
Any failure or disappointment.
"The new phone model was a dud — sales were dismal."
adj
1
Useless or failing to work.
"Half the batteries in the pack turned out to be dud."
How to Use Dud
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that fails to work or turns out to be a disappointment.
Common pairings
a total dud
prove a dud
Word Forms
duds plural, duddest superlative
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The grenade turned out to be a _____ and never exploded.
Etymology
From Middle English dudde, an old word for ragged clothing, later applied to anything useless.