rude

adjective

ˈrüd 

ruder; rudest

1

: lacking refinement or delicacy:

a

: offensive in manner or action : discourteous

shocked by their rude behavior

It was rude to keep us waiting.

b

: inelegant, uncouth

had rude table manners

c

: ignorant, unlearned

d

: uncivilized

e

: coarse, vulgar

rude jokes/language

2

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

… we spread a rude sort of awning …

—Herman Melville

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 of rude

• disrespectful
• discourteous
• impolite
• blunt
• inconsiderate
• abrupt
• thoughtless
• ungracious
• arrogant
• unmannerly
• uncivil
• gruff
• impertinent
• curt
• improper
• uncalled-for

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

Other teachers would also forward Phillips copies of rude emails sent by Moore. — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026

Loud phone use, rude behavior toward airport staff, and careless suitcase handling can make stressful terminals even more frustrating. — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2026

But the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator knows his unit must show urgency and improvement Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders after a rude wake-up call in the season opener. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Sanders would go so far as to kick out rude guests, former employees said. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

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 5

Phrases Containing rude

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

Rhymes for rude

• blued
• booed
• brewed
• brood
• chewed
• cooed
• coude
• crude
• cued
• dude
• feud
• food

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