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

Explanation

Use prude to describe someone who is too concerned with being proper or modest. It is a derogatory label affixed most often to people who are not forthcoming romantically — and it's not very nice. To be prude is to be prudent, or careful. That’s not a bad thing, but prude is usually an insult. A prude might gasp when someone says a bad word. Prude was borrowed from French, short for prude femme "wise and good woman." Though the word took on a negative meaning, Old French prud also meant "capable or brave" and is probably the source of English proud.

Example Sentences

Nobody wants to be unsophisticated, or a prude.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

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 • Dec. 3, 2024

Anthony Comstock, the chief prude for whom the act is named, was an enthusiastic book-banner and suffragist-opposer.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2024

Anthony Comstock, a 19th-century crusader against sexual liberty, was mocked as a prude in his own time, but wielded real power.

From New York Times • May 16, 2023

But my mother wasn’t a prude; she was just afraid of what would happen if she let herself run loose, even for a day.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad