prudery
Americannoun
plural
pruderies-
excessive propriety or modesty in speech, conduct, etc.
-
pruderies, prudish actions, phrases, or words.
Etymology
Origin of prudery
From the French word pruderie, dating back to 1700–10. See prude, -ery
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He was fired because of indefensible and harmful prudery.
From Salon • Mar. 18, 2022
Poem-sequences dominate Muldoon’s storm of slaps against piety, prudery, cruelty and greed.
From New York Times • Nov. 11, 2021
My objection isn’t rooted in prudery but in artistic tact.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2019
Some things were just plain unacceptable even when buttoned-up 1950s prudery was beginning its retreat.
From The Guardian • Oct. 6, 2012
"Neither my sister nor myself 'pose' for prudery, Sir Within; but the world says that you are—what shall I call it?—too—too—do help me to the word."
From Luttrell Of Arran Complete by Lever, Charles James
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
