noun
dud
duhd
Dud (noun) means Something, especially a bomb or device, that fails to work as intended. Example: “The grenade turned out to be a dud and never exploded.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- duds
- Superlative
- duddest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “dud” mean?
The word “dud” means something, especially a bomb or device, that fails to work as intended. In plain terms, something that fails to work or turns out to be a disappointment.
How do you pronounce “dud”?
“Dud” is pronounced duhd (/dʌd/ in IPA).
How do you use “dud” in a sentence?
Here is “dud” used in a sentence: “The grenade turned out to be a dud and never exploded.”
What part of speech is “dud”?
Depending on how it is used, “dud” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “dud” come from?
The word “dud” comes from Middle English. From Middle English dudde, an old word for ragged clothing, later applied to anything useless.
How many meanings does “dud” have?
“Dud” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something, especially a bomb or device, that fails to work as intended.
