adj
Common
nude
nood
Nude (adj) means wearing no clothes; naked. Example: “The ancient statue of the athlete is nude, as was common in old sculpture.”
adj
1
Wearing no clothes; naked.
"The ancient statue of the athlete is nude, as was common in old sculpture."
"Art students often sketch a nude figure to learn about the human body."
"The artist painted the model in a nude pose."
noun
1
A work of art depicting an unclothed human figure.
"She studied a famous nude by a Renaissance painter during her art course."
"The museum bought a bronze nude for its sculpture garden."
"The gallery's new wing is filled with classical nudes."
How to use nude
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWithout clothes, or a piece of art showing an unclothed figure.
Common pairings
a nude painting
in the nude
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Word forms
- Plural
- nudes
- Comparative
- nuder
- Superlative
- nudest
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The ancient statue of the athlete is _____, as was common in old sculpture.
Etymology
Entered English in the 1490s as a legal term meaning "unsupported" or "not formally attested," from Latin nudus, "naked, bare."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for nude
See all rhymes for nude →Frequently asked questions
What does “nude” mean?
The word “nude” means wearing no clothes; naked. In plain terms, without clothes, or a piece of art showing an unclothed figure.
How do you pronounce “nude”?
“Nude” is pronounced nood (/n(j)uːd/ in IPA).
How do you use “nude” in a sentence?
Here is “nude” used in a sentence: “The artist painted the model in a nude pose.”
What is another word for “nude”?
Words with a similar meaning to “nude” include flesh-colored, skin-colored and carnation.
What part of speech is “nude”?
Depending on how it is used, “nude” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “nude” come from?
The word “nude” dates back to around 1490 and comes from Latin. Entered English in the 1490s as a legal term meaning "unsupported" or "not formally attested," from Latin nudus, "naked, bare.".
Is “nude” a common word?
“Nude” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “nude” have?
“Nude” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: wearing no clothes; naked.
What is the difference between "nude" and "naked"?
Both words mean wearing no clothes, but they differ in tone. "Nude" is the more neutral, formal choice and is standard in contexts such as art and fashion, while "naked" is the everyday word and often carries a suggestion of vulnerability or exposure.
What is a nude in art?
In art, a nude is a work — such as a painting, drawing, or sculpture — that depicts an unclothed human figure. Used this way, "nude" is a noun, and the subject has been a traditional part of formal art training and gallery collections for centuries.
Is "nude" formal or informal?
"Nude" is neutral to formal in register and is the standard term in art, fashion, and official contexts. It sounds more clinical and polite than "naked", which is the plainer everyday word.
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