fudge

[ fuhj ]

/ fʌdʒ /

noun

a soft candy made of sugar, butter, milk, chocolate, and sometimes nuts.

Words nearby fudge

fud, fuddle, fuddle-duddle, fuddling cup, fuddy-duddy, fudge, fudge factor, fuegian, fuehrer, fuel, fuel air bomb

Origin of fudge

1895–1900, Americanism; of uncertain origin; the word was early in its history associated with college campuses, where fudge-making was popular; however, attempts to explain it as a derivative of fudge³ (preparing the candy supposedly being an excuse to “fudge” on dormitory rules) are dubious and probably after-the-fact speculation

Definition for fudge (2 of 3)

fudge²

[ fuhj ]

/ fʌdʒ /

noun

nonsense or foolishness (often used as an interjection).

verb (used without object), fudged, fudg·ing.

to talk nonsense.

Origin of fudge

1690–1700; origin uncertain; cf. fudge³

Definition for fudge (3 of 3)

fudge³

[ fuhj ]

/ fʌdʒ /

verb (used without object), fudged, fudg·ing.

to cheat or welsh (often followed by on): to fudge on an exam; to fudge on one's campaign promises.

to avoid coming to grips with something: to fudge on an issue.

to exaggerate a cost, estimate, etc., in order to allow leeway for error.

verb (used with object), fudged, fudg·ing.

to avoid coming to grips with (a subject, issue, etc.); evade; dodge: to fudge a direct question.

noun

a small stereotype or a few lines of specially prepared type, bearing a newspaper bulletin, for replacing a detachable part of a page plate without the need to replate the entire page.

the bulletin thus printed, often in color.

a machine or attachment for printing such a bulletin.

Origin of fudge

1665–75; origin uncertain; in earliest sense, “to contrive clumsily,” perhaps expressive variant of fadge to fit, agree, do (akin to Middle English feien to put together, join, Old English fēgan); unclear if fudge¹ and fudge² are developments of this word or independent coinages

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for fudge

Rather, I'm just incensed by those who fudge its ability beyond all recognition.
Note to Drivers: All Wheel Drive Does Not Give You Superpowers, Just a Dangerous Overconfidence|Megan McArdle|March 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But what I suspect he was trying to fudge before the residency panel was, indeed, his residency.
Bain and the F-Word|Michael Tomasky|July 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The religious messages in the April holidays are pointed, unequivocal, impossible to fudge.
Why There’s No ‘War on Easter’: Its Unequivocally Religious Message|Michael Medved|April 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
If any politician could be trusted not to fudge their mileage, it would be “Honest Abe.”
Santorum’s Audi and Other Political Transportation Follies|Ben Jacobs|February 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Democrats, who sense military misgivings, try to fudge the differences in order to ingratiate themselves.
The Real McChrystal Story|Leslie H. Gelb|June 22, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The boy here turned upon his heel, muttering something like fudge!
Memoirs of the Extraordinary Military Career of John Shipp|John Shipp
"That is because your education in fudge and bridge has been sadly neglected," said Philip.
A Girl Of The Limberlost|Gene Stratton Porter
Fudge gripped his bat tighter yet and glued his eyes to the upraised hands of Mel Mason.
The Lucky Seventh|Ralph Henry Barbour
Fudge had sniffed around the legs of a good many people, and might have written their biographies, but Dalton was new to him.
Felix O'Day|F. Hopkinson Smith
Removing from the fire, Betsey beat the fudge until it began to sugar, then she added the butter and chopped nuts.
A Little Candy Book for a Little Girl|Amy L. Waterman

British Dictionary definitions for fudge (1 of 3)

fudge¹

/ (fʌdʒ) /

noun

a soft variously flavoured sweet made from sugar, butter, cream, etc

Word Origin for fudge

C19: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for fudge (2 of 3)

fudge²

/ (fʌdʒ) /

noun

foolishness; nonsense

interjection

a mild exclamation of annoyance

verb

(intr) to talk foolishly or emptily

Word Origin for fudge

C18: of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for fudge (3 of 3)

fudge³

/ (fʌdʒ) /

noun

a small section of type matter in a box in a newspaper allowing late news to be included without the whole page having to be remade

the box in which such type matter is placed

the late news so inserted

a machine attached to a newspaper press for printing this

an unsatisfactory compromise reached to evade a difficult problem or controversial issue

verb

(tr) to make or adjust in a false or clumsy way

(tr) to misrepresent; falsify

to evade (a problem, issue, etc); dodge; avoid

Word Origin for fudge

C19: see fadge

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

fudge

noun

Words related to fudge

Words nearby fudge

Origin of fudge

Definition for fudge (2 of 3)

noun

verb (used without object), fudged, fudg·ing.

Origin of fudge

Definition for fudge (3 of 3)

verb (used without object), fudged, fudg·ing.

verb (used with object), fudged, fudg·ing.

noun

Origin of fudge

Examples from the Web for fudge

British Dictionary definitions for fudge (1 of 3)

noun

Word Origin for fudge

British Dictionary definitions for fudge (2 of 3)

noun

interjection

verb

Word Origin for fudge

British Dictionary definitions for fudge (3 of 3)

noun

verb

Word Origin for fudge