prude

American  

[prood] / prud /

noun

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

---

prude British  

/ 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
• prudishly adverb
• prudishness noun

Etymology

Origin of prude

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

Example Sentences

Nobody wants to be unsophisticated, or a prude.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Over the centuries, the Wife of Bath has been swinging her hips through Western culture, knocking princesses off their pedestals, shocking prudes and clearing a path for savvy, witty women.

From Washington Post