noun
grundy
GRUHN-dee
Grundy (noun) means a person who is excessively concerned with policing other people's morals or manners; a prude. Example: “The old grundy next door complained about every party on the street.”
noun
1
A person who is excessively concerned with policing other people's morals or manners; a prude.
"The old grundy next door complained about every party on the street."
2
(Australian slang, usually plural "grundies") Underpants.
"He ran out to get the mail still in his grundies."
adj
1
Excessively strict or judgmental about other people's personal behavior.
"His grundy attitude made him disapprove of anything mildly unconventional."
How to use grundy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA judgmental prude, or — in Australian slang — underpants.
Memory tip
These are two unrelated senses of the same word; context makes clear which is meant.
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Word forms
- Plural
- grundies
- Comparative
- grundier
- Superlative
- grundiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old _____ next door complained about every party on the street.
Etymology
From Mrs. Grundy, an unseen but constantly invoked prudish character in Thomas Morton's 1798 play Speed the Plough, whose name became shorthand for narrow-minded moral disapproval.
Rhymes for grundy
See all rhymes for grundy →Frequently asked questions
What does “grundy” mean?
The word “grundy” means a person who is excessively concerned with policing other people's morals or manners; a prude. In plain terms, a judgmental prude, or — in Australian slang — underpants.
How do you pronounce “grundy”?
“Grundy” is pronounced GRUHN-dee (/ˈɡɹʌn.di/ in IPA).
How do you use “grundy” in a sentence?
Here is “grundy” used in a sentence: “The old grundy next door complained about every party on the street.”
What part of speech is “grundy”?
Depending on how it is used, “grundy” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “grundy” come from?
The word “grundy” dates back to around 1798. From Mrs. Grundy, an unseen but constantly invoked prudish character in Thomas Morton's 1798 play Speed the Plough, whose name became shorthand for narrow-minded moral disapproval.
How many meanings does “grundy” have?
“Grundy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who is excessively concerned with policing other people's morals or manners; a prude.
