Wordul · all words

noun · 1 syllable · /pruːd/

PRUDE

What does "PRUDE" mean?

A person who is or pretends to be easily shocked by matters relating to sex or nudity.

Meanings

  1. Someone overly concerned with being or appearing proper, especially about sex. Don't be such a prude; it's just an art class with a live model.

Did you know?

  • 'Prude' began as a compliment: it grew from Old French 'prudefemme', a 'worthy, virtuous woman', sharing its root with 'proud' before it curdled into an insult.

Word origin

From French 'prude' ('prudish woman'), a back-formation from Old French 'prudefemme' ('virtuous woman'), built on 'prud'/'preux' ('worthy, brave') - the same root behind 'proud'.

Remember it

A PRUDE turns 'PRUDEnt' all the way up until even a swimsuit seems scandalous.

A little poem

She drew the curtain on the summer skin-
and missed the warmth she would not let come in.

couplet

Wordplay

  • The prude refused to read the dictionary - too many naked definitions exposed without context.

What it teaches

Guarding your own comfort is fine; policing everyone else's joy is just fear wearing manners.

Quick facts

What does PRUDE mean?

A person who is or pretends to be easily shocked by matters relating to sex or nudity.

Is PRUDE a valid word?

Yes — PRUDE is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.

How many letters is PRUDE?

PRUDE has 5 letters and 1 syllable.

Where does PRUDE come from?

From French 'prude' ('prudish woman'), a back-formation from Old French 'prudefemme' ('virtuous woman'), built on 'prud'/'preux' ('worthy, brave') - the same root behind 'proud'.

What can PRUDE teach us?

Guarding your own comfort is fine; policing everyone else's joy is just fear wearing manners.

How players do

Be the first to solve it.

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