rude

rude

adjective \ˈrüd\

rud·errud·est

Definition of RUDE

1

a : being in a rough or unfinished state : crude

b : natural, raw <rude cotton>

c : primitive, undeveloped <peasants use rude wooden plows — Jack Raymond>

d : simple, elemental

2

: lacking refinement or delicacy:

a : ignorant, unlearned

b : inelegant, uncouth

c : offensive in manner or action : discourteous

d : uncivilized, savage

e : coarse, vulgar

3

: marked by or suggestive of lack of training or skill : inexperienced <rude workmanship>

4

: robust, sturdy <in rude health>

5

: occurring abruptly and disconcertingly <a rude awakening>

— rude·ly adverb

Examples of RUDE

1. I was shocked by her rude behavior.
2. I can't believe that he was so rude to me.
3. I heard someone make a rude noise.

Origin of RUDE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin rudis; probably akin to Latin rudus rubble

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to RUDE

Synonyms

artless, clumsy, crude, jerry-built, jerry-rigged, jury-rigged, rough, rough-and-ready, rough-and-tumble, rough-hewn, unrefined

Antonyms

refined

Related Words

defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect; imprecise, inexact; inartistic, undressed, unfinished, unpolished, unworked; amateur, amateurish, inexpert, unprofessional, unskilled, unskillful; primitive, rudimentary; unshaped, unshapen

Near Antonyms

faultless, finished, flawless, meticulous, perfect, perfected, polished, well-done; adept, adroit, dexterous (also dextrous), expert, masterful, masterly, neat, practiced (also practised), skillful, workmanlike; artful, artistic, sophisticated; exact, precise

Synonym Discussion of RUDE

rude, rough, crude, raw mean lacking in social refinement. rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy <rude behavior>. rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness <rough manners>. crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive <a crude joke>. raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished <turning raw youths into polished performers>.

Rhymes with RUDE

brood, crowd, crude, dude, feud, food, hued, Jude, lewd, lude, mood, nude, oud, pood, prude, pseud, rood, shrewd, snood, stewed, 'tude, wood, wud