prudery

[ proo-duh-ree ]

/ ˈpru də ri /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for prudery on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural prud·er·ies for 2.

excessive propriety or modesty in speech, conduct, etc.

pruderies, prudish actions, phrases, or words.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of prudery

From the French word pruderie, dating back to 1700–10. See prude, -ery

Words nearby prudery

prudence, prudent, prudential, Prudentius, prudently, prudery, Prudhoe Bay, Prud'hon, prudish, pruinose, prune

How to use prudery in a sentence

These were men of their time, and their aesthetic interest in the ancient world was throttled by Christian prudery.
The Importance of Adult Classifieds|Hazlitt|September 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But like American speakeasies during prohibition in the USA, these places are oases in a desert of official prudery.
Tehran’s Underground Speakeasies|IranWire|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It would be lamentable indeed if such prudery moved us to a two-tiered, gender-segregated system of medical care.
Randy Cohen’s Three Favorite Ethicist Columns|Randy Cohen|October 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
A characteristic which distinguished them and which impressed Mrs. Pontellier most forcibly was their entire absence of prudery.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin

Then Griffith observed how delicate and prudent his lovely wife was, without ostentatious prudery; and his heart was at peace.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 17, No. 101, March, 1866|Various
"Madeleine" ought to do something to clear away the mist in minds which confuse prudery and virtue.
Seeing Things at Night|Heywood Broun
When our women are better educated, there will be less prudery and more real modesty.
The Education of American Girls|Anna Callender Brackett
La Belle Stuart was one par excellence; in her the hypocrisy of prudery was double-distilled.
Court Beauties of Old Whitehall|W. R. H. Trowbridge

prudery

Origin of prudery

Words nearby prudery

Words related to prudery

How to use prudery in a sentence