fudge
1[ fuhj ]
/ fʌdʒ /
Save This Word!
noun
a soft candy made of sugar, butter, milk, chocolate, and sometimes nuts.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!
In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”
Question 1 of 7
The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
Origin of fudge
1An Americanism dating to 1895–1900; of uncertain origin; the word was early in its history associated with female 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
2First recorded in 1690–1700; of uncertain origin; 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
Origin of fudge
3First recorded in 1665–75; origin uncertain; in earliest sense, “to contrive clumsily,” perhaps expressive variant of fadge “to fit, agree, do” (akin to Middle English feien, Old English fēgan “to fit together, join, bind”); fudge1 and fudge2 are developments of this word or are independent coinages
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for fudge
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
verb
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