prudery
Americannoun
plural
pruderies-
excessive propriety or modesty in speech, conduct, etc.
-
pruderies, prudish actions, phrases, or words.
Etymology
Origin of prudery
From the French word pruderie, dating back to 1700–10. See prude, -ery
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Fastidiousness and Prudery say: "Better not speak—you will rouse up adverse criticism; you will make worse what you want to make better; better deal in glittering generalities; the subject is too delicate for polite ears."
From New Tabernacle Sermons by Talmage, T. De Witt (Thomas De Witt)
Prudery iz the remorse ov cunning that haz been foiled; and coquettry seems to be the abandon ov art and buty.
From The Complete Works of Josh Billings by Shaw, Henry W.
Prudery, American, 228 Razumov, 12,34,49 Resignationism, 14 "Return, The," 42 "Romance," 56 Ruiz, Gaspar, 12 Russia, Conrad's picture of, 49-50 Sea, Conrad's pictures of, 50-1 "Secret Agent, The," 42,48,59,60 "Set of Six, A.,"
From A Book of Prefaces by Mencken, H. L. (Henry Louis)
Prudery has decreed that while at school she should learn nothing of such matters.
From Woman and Womanhood A Search for Principles by Saleeby, C. W. (Caleb Williams)
You, at one time, thought me guilty of some degree of Prudery.
From Clarissa: Preface, Hints of Prefaces, and Postscript by Richardson, Samuel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
