prude

[prood]

noun

1. a person who is excessively proper or modest in speech, conduct, dress, etc.

prude

/ pruːd /

noun

1. a person who affects or shows an excessively modest, prim, or proper attitude, esp regarding sex

Other Word Forms

• prudelike adjective
• prudish adjective
• prudishness noun
• prudishly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prude¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; from French prude “a prude” (noun), “prudish” (adjective), short for prudefemme, Old French prodefeme “worthy or respectable woman,” equivalent to proud + feme

Word History and Origins

Origin of prude¹

C18: from French, from prudefemme, from Old French prode femme respectable woman; see _proud

Example Sentences

Nobody wants to be unsophisticated, or a prude.

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“I’ve been reminded that I’m a prude of an English boy.”

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“I am, even if nobody believes it, a prude,” she says, describing a Kidman scene to make her point.

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I like to make jokes, I like to have all this bravado, but I’m really kind of a prude and shy.

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Anthony Comstock, the infamous prude who was behind the law, was much like Charlie Kirk, in that his misogynist intent was never far beneath the surface.

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