noun
prude
prood
noun
1
Someone who is easily shocked or offended by anything sexual or improper, and overly concerned with proper behavior.
"Don't be such a prude — it's just a swimsuit."
adj
1
Prudish; excessively modest or easily scandalized.
"She gave a prude little laugh at the joke."
How to Use Prude
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone overly modest or easily scandalized by sexual topics.
Common mistake
Not related to "prudent," despite the similar spelling — a prude is about modesty, not wisdom.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
more prude comparative, prudes plural, Prudes plural, most prude superlative
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Etymology
From French prude, from Old French prude/prod, "good, virtuous" — related to proud, but not related to prudent.