noun
prude
prood
Prude (noun) means someone who is easily shocked or offended by anything sexual or improper, and overly concerned with proper behavior. Example: “Don't be such a prude — it's just a swimsuit.”
noun
1
Someone who is easily shocked or offended by anything sexual or improper, and overly concerned with proper behavior.
"If you didn't go for Lila you're some kind of prissy old prude. If you did go for her you were some kind of dirty old man."
— Robert M. Pirsig, Lila (1991)
"Don't be such a prude — it's just a swimsuit."
adj
1
Prudish; excessively modest or easily scandalized.
"She gave a prude little laugh at the joke."
How to use prude
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone overly modest or easily scandalized by sexual topics.
Common mistake
Not related to "prudent," despite the similar spelling — a prude is about modesty, not wisdom.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- prudes
- Comparative
- more prude
- Superlative
- most prude
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Don't be such a _____ — it's just a swimsuit.
Etymology
From French prude, from Old French prude/prod, "good, virtuous" — related to proud, but not related to prudent.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for prude
See all rhymes for prude →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of prude?
"prude" (noun) means someone who is easily shocked or offended by anything sexual or improper, and overly concerned with proper behavior.
What is another word for prude?
Other words for "prude" include puritan.
What is the opposite of prude?
Opposites of "prude" include libertine, rake.
What are the different meanings of prude?
"prude" has 2 main meanings: 1. Someone who is easily shocked or offended by anything sexual or improper, and overly concerned with proper behavior; 2. Prudish; excessively modest or easily scandalized.
