discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way.
a rude reply.
without culture, learning, or refinement.
rude, illiterate peasants.
rough in manners or behavior; unmannerly; uncouth.
rough, harsh, or ungentle.
rude hands.
roughly wrought, built, or formed; of a crude construction or kind.
a rude cottage.
not properly or fully developed; raw; unevolved.
a rude first stage of development.
harsh to the ear.
rude sounds.
without artistic elegance; of a primitive simplicity.
a rude design.
violent or tempestuous, as the waves.
robust, sturdy, or vigorous.
rude strength.
approximate or tentative.
a rude first calculation of costs.
insulting or uncivil; discourteous; impolite
he was rude about her hairstyle
lacking refinement; coarse or uncouth
vulgar or obscene
a rude joke
unexpected and unpleasant
a rude awakening to the facts of economic life
roughly or crudely made
we made a rude shelter on the island
rough or harsh in sound, appearance, or behaviour
humble or lowly
(prenominal) robust or sturdy
in rude health
(prenominal) approximate or imprecise
a rude estimate
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English rude, ruide, from Old French, from Latin rudis
Rude describes a type of behavior that isn't appropriate and usually isn't very nice, either — like yelling "You stink!" at a children's talent show. Rude refers to bad behavior or just plain bad manners. For example, children are taught to say "please" and "thank you" or they are considered rude. A rude person needs a little work — rude also means crude or basic, like a rude cabin out in the woods that barely keeps the rain out. It can be a sudden realization, too. If you wake up and see your breath, it's a rude awakening that the heat's not working.
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Playing some of these songs in public is rude and perhaps illegal indecency.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026
"New Yorkers can be rude -- everybody's in a rush, everybody's pushing -- but when people see you with the gear on, it's like: 'Let's go Knicks!'" she said.
From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026
Bruckert and Andres, the former GM, said both women were rude and entitled and ran up excessive tabs for membership meetings that were billed to the club.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
She had been accused by a more junior member of staff of rude and aggressive behaviour after Sam had asked her to tie her hair up and not use the ambulance entrance.
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026
I could feel a wallop of rude and ornery coming up my throat and fighting to get out of my mouth.
From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan
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.
