dud

American  

[duhd] / dʌd /

noun

1. Informal. a device, person, or enterprise that proves to be a failure.

   Synonyms:

   flop, bomb, fizzle, debacle, fiasco

2. a shell or missile that fails to explode after being fired.

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dud British  

/ dʌd /

noun

1. a person or thing that proves ineffectual or a failure

2. a shell, etc, that fails to explode

3. old-fashioned (plural) clothes or other personal belongings

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adjective

1. failing in its purpose or function

   a dud cheque

Etymology

Origin of dud

1815–25; special use of dud, singular of duds

Example Sentences

Consider the 1965 game Mystery Date, in which girls try to land a dreamy date and avoid the sloppily dressed “dud” guy.

From The Wall Street Journal

At the time, they had no idea whether it would be a good investment or a dud, he adds.

From The Wall Street Journal

But as a taxpayer investment so far, Bitcoin has been a dud.

From Barron's

“Makes sense to me,” said Aunt Pretty, folding up my new duds.

From Literature

Later that decade it could have paid for the polyester duds John Travolta sported in “Saturday Night Fever.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• debacle
• flop