rude

adjective

ˈrüd 

ruder; rudest

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

rudely adverb

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of rude in a Sentence

I was shocked by her rude behavior.

I can't believe that he was so rude to me.

I heard someone make a rude noise.

Recent Examples on the Web

Does Miss Manners agree with me that making people feel like fools is rude? —Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024

What a selfish request and to keep pestering it for years is so rude. —Erin Clack, People.com, 19 Oct. 2024

When children are having a hard time, screaming, stomping, or being rude and talking back, your reflex may be to yell, scold, try to control, or shame them. —Tovah P. Klein, Contributor, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2024

Otherwise, the elusive Scorpio will deflect, disappear, and decree the observer who paid uninvited notice to be incredibly rude. —Jennifer Culp, Them, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing rude

• in for a rude shock
• in rude health
• rude awakening
• rude shock

Kids Definition

rude

adjective

ˈrüd 

ruder; rudest

1

: impolite

2

: not refined or cultured

3

: being sudden and forceful

a rude awakening

4

: being in a rough or unfinished state : roughly made

rudely adverb

rudeness noun