nude

American  

[nood, nyood] / nud, nyud /

adjective

nuder, nudest

1. naked or unclothed, as a person or the body.

   Synonyms:

   exposed, undressed, uncovered

2. without the usual coverings, furnishings, etc.; bare.

   a nude stretch of land laid waste by brush fires.

3. (of a photograph, painting, statue, etc.) being or prominently displaying a representation of the nude human figure.

4. Law. made without a consideration or other legal essential.

   a nude contract.

5. having the color nude.

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noun

1. a sculpture, painting, etc., of a nude human figure.

2. an unclothed human figure.

3. the condition of being unclothed.

   to sleep in the nude.

4. (no longer in common use; now considered offensive) a light grayish-yellow brown to brownish-pink color.

5. a color that falls within the spectrum of human skin colors.

nude British  

/ njuːd /

adjective

1. completely unclothed; undressed

2. having no covering; bare; exposed

3. law

   1. lacking some essential legal requirement, esp supporting evidence

   2. (of a contract, agreement, etc) made without consideration and void unless under seal

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noun

1. the state of being naked (esp in the phrase in the nude )

2. a naked figure, esp in painting, sculpture, etc

Sensitive Note

See flesh color.

Pronunciation

See new .

Other Word Forms

• nudely
  adverb
• nudeness
  noun
• seminude
  adjective
• subnude
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of nude

1525–35; < Latin nūdus; see naked

Explanation

Someone who's nude isn't wearing any clothes. In modern society, we're generally nude in the shower but fully dressed when we go to work. Whether you say you're "in your birthday suit," "au naturel," or "unclothed" — when you're nude, you're naked. You might find the word in the phrase "in the nude," which also simply means nude, or describing a work of art as "a nude," or a painting or sculpture of a nude person. In the 1500s, nude was a legal term meaning "unsupported," from the Latin nudus, "bare." The "naked" definition didn't became popular until the nineteenth century.

Example Sentences

In another drawing in the series, “Reclining Male Nude With Shield and Sword,” a figure, arrayed like an ancient river god, holds himself up while twisting his head around in surprise and dismay.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

A statue of Terry Jones, celebrating him as the Nude Organist from Monty Python's Flying Circus, will be unveiled on the seafront of his home town of Colwyn Bay next year.

From BBC • Oct. 30, 2025

Nude Malt Whisky Glasses: This set of two lead-free crystals glasses are as much fun to hold and look at as to use.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 13, 2021

Erich Schuttauf, the executive director of the American Association for Nude Recreation, said they tend to skew older, more educated and wealthier.

From New York Times • Feb. 4, 2020

And neither the artists in circles above, Or critics who view the débris, 52Can ever dissever the Nude from the Stairs, For both are so hobble-de-gee, So hobble-de-wobble-de-gee!

From The Re-echo Club by Wells, Carolyn

Related Words

• naked