prudish
|prud-ish|
/ˈpruːdɪʃ/
overly modest / excessively proper
Etymology
'prudish' originates from English, formed from the noun 'prude' plus the adjective-forming suffix '-ish'.
'prude' comes from French 'prud' / 'prude' (meaning 'proud', 'solemn' or 'virtuous'), ultimately from Latin 'probus' meaning 'good' or 'virtuous'. The English adjective 'prudish' developed from 'prude' in the 17th century to describe excessive modesty or propriety.
Initially associated with being 'prudent' or 'virtuous', the sense shifted to denote excessive modesty or an affected shock at sexual or indecent matters—i.e., 'excessively proper.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
excessively proper or modest, especially in a way that is easily shocked by matters relating to sex or nudity.
She was too prudish to laugh at the bawdy joke.
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Adjective 2
marked by an excessive concern with propriety, decency, or conventional morality; overly prim or affectedly modest.
His prudish manner made social gatherings awkward.
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Adjective 3
(archaic) Showing affected modesty or moral strictness; resembling a 'prude'.
In older literature, a character might be described as prudish for refusing to attend the ball.
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Last updated: 2025/09/09 11:55