prude

American  

[prood] / prud /

noun

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

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prude British  

/ pruːd /

noun

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

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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 • Nov. 20, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2025

Rivera’s not a prude; he will utter an expletive into the microphone if the occasion calls for it.

From Washington Post • Oct. 2, 2022

She is not a professorial prude, however, oblivious to shifting realities.

From New York Times • Feb. 11, 2021

“And those people calling you a prude were prudes once, too,” she adds.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King