prudish

[ proo-dish ]

/ ˈpru dɪʃ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: prudish / prudishness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

excessively proper or modest in speech, conduct, dress, etc.

characteristic of a prude.

OTHER WORDS FOR prudish

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

First recorded in 1710–20; prude + -ish¹

1. See modest.

prud·ish·ly, adverbprud·ish·ness, noun

Others I’ve talked to blame the incident on the inexplicable prudish mindset of Gen-Z, pointing to the ongoing “No Kink at Pride” controversy.
Opinion | A queer space disrupted|Brock Thompson|July 2, 2021|Washington Blade
Who knew a country notorious for selling used underwear in vending machines could be so prudish?
Japan’s Hypocritical Vagiphobia|Lizzie Crocker|July 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Secondly, the film shows sex in a raw way, and the Soviet regime was notoriously prudish, despite its official atheism.
Punks, UFOs, and Heroin: How ‘Liquid Sky’ Became a Cult Movie|Daniel Genis|June 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Foster partly argues that we tend to view 18th century society as more prudish than it actually was.
The Cross-Dressing Revolutionary: Alex Myers’ New Novel|Eric Herschthal|February 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Deep they needed to be, because the Nazis could take offense quicker than a prudish Victorian spinster.
Did Hollywood Collaborate With Hitler? A New Book Makes Bold Claims.|Christopher Bray|September 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
To be fair, we got quite a bit of nudity, even here on the still-prudish BBC.
Will Sex Help Sell ‘The White Queen’?|Tom Sykes|August 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
You are not as prudish as that, and if you were, you know I have done it a hundred times; that would be too ridiculous, Dan!
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
Had her beautiful prudish rival possessed less virtue and more wit Lady Castlemaine's star would have set long before it did.
Court Beauties of Old Whitehall|W. R. H. Trowbridge
But if naturally prudish, La Belle Stuart made full use of the profit to be derived from such moral infirmity.
Court Beauties of Old Whitehall|W. R. H. Trowbridge
Indeed, he was always laughing at my mother and me for our prudish ways; and my not marrying was always a joke between us.
Memoirs of an American Prima Donna|Clara Louise Kellogg
It is not best to be "prudish," but it is right and necessary to be cautious and discreet.
Beadle's Dime Book of Practical Etiquette for Ladies and Gentlemen|anonymous