prude

[ prood ]

/ prud /

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noun

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

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Origin of prude

1695–1705; <French prude a prude (noun), prudish (adj.), short for prudefemme,Old French prodefeme worthy or respectable woman. See proud, feme

OTHER WORDS FROM prude

prudelike, adjective

Words nearby prude

proxy statement, Prozac, prp., prs., PRT, prude, prudence, prudent, prudential, Prudentius, prudently

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use prude in a sentence

As police struggled to get Prude under control, an officer forced him to the ground and kept him face down in a manner similar to the way Floyd was restrained.
The Verdict on Derek Chauvin: A New Ending to a Familiar Tale|Milton Coleman|April 26, 2021|TruthBeTold.news
I am not a prude, and I understand there are times when a young woman wants to look alluring.
Miss Manners: Parent’s self-insult sticks in kid’s craw|Judith Martin, Nicholas Martin, Jacobina Martin|March 26, 2021|Washington Post
I’m no prude, but I happened to say, since we plan on having kids someday, that I didn’t think unsupervised visits with “Grandma” were that good of an idea.
Future Mom-in-Law, the Porn Star|Eugene Robinson|November 22, 2020|Ozy
We are left with stalwart genres (action, rom com) and classic roles (prude, seductress, jock, backstory-less best friend).
It Ain't Easy Being Bisexual on TV|Amy Zimmerman|August 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Mapplethorpe is infamous for his raw depictions of sexuality, but Rodin was no prude.
Mapplethorpe’s Artistic Twin|Sarah Moroz|April 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Casual sex had never interested me before; I had always been a bit of a prude.
Sugar Daddy Dating Sites: Helen Croydon on Her Guilty Fantasy|Helen Croydon|May 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
While as modern as mommy wars, she was also an old-fashioned prude.
Why Do Women Love Bad Men? A New Life of Margaret Fuller|Susan Cheever|March 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“Bay isn't a prude, but she isn't going to have sex with anyone just to get it over with,” Weiss said.
Television’s 20-Something Female Virgins: ‘Girls,’ ‘Grey’s,’ and ‘Underemployed’|Whitney Friedlander|November 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
"For Heaven's sake, don't be a prude, Moya," Joyce snapped irritably.
The Highgrader|William MacLeod Raine
As the termagant swore she could prove her words, Charles at once returned to the prude's apartments.
Court Beauties of Old Whitehall|W. R. H. Trowbridge
The repulse he received from the artless child, suddenly turned prude, was so severe as to compromise him with the King.
Court Beauties of Old Whitehall|W. R. H. Trowbridge
My moustaches will stay where they are; if your wife is a prude and the sight of me frightens her, never fear!
Brother Jacques (Novels of Paul de Kock, Volume XVII)|Charles Paul de Kock
On lower margin in a later hand: Prude and nid and lecherie Grede and idelhed coueitise and glotunie beod seouen ded Sundes.
Selections from early Middle English, 1130-1250|Various

British Dictionary definitions for prude

prude

/ (pruːd) /

noun

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

Derived forms of prude

prudish, adjectiveprudishly, adverbprudishness or prudery, noun

Word Origin for prude

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

prude

Origin of prude

OTHER WORDS FROM prude

Words nearby prude

Words related to prude

How to use prude in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for prude

Derived forms of prude

Word Origin for prude