bud 1 of 2

noun

ˈbəd How to pronounce bud (audio)
Definition of budnext
as in kid
a young person who is between infancy and adulthood that sitcom star is still a bud, so all he needs right now are looks and personality

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bud

2 of 2

verb

as in to flower

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bud
Noun
How to experience it San Xavier Co-op Farm, run by members of the Tohono O’odham Nation, sells wild foods, including cholla buds and mesquite flour. — Tovar Cerulli, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026 These buds also rock active noise cancellation, blocking out background noise and distractions to keep you locked in. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
Verb
Beyond the budding relationship, Richards also noticed that some of Von Mierer’s predictions of disaster and doom at the end of the millennium weren’t exactly happening. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2026 Besides being actual royalty, the late Princess of Wales was also a budding fashion icon who naturally fit in with creative types. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for bud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bud
  1. kid
  2. flower
  3. child
  4. blossom
  5. cub
  6. bloom
  7. leaf
Noun
  • Soon after, the military ordered Lenio’s husband to return to the US, paving the way for Lenio and her kids to return as well, before a German court could take up the family’s case.
    — Brianna Keilar, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Difficult at times, balancing family and career and locations and dragging my kids here and there.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of kid
Verb
  • There’s joy, there’s music, there’s magically regenerating food, trees that flower and fruit at the same time, piles of treasure, crystals that rain from the sky, everlasting happiness and health.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The designs feature symbols familiar to Marylanders and racing fans, including the state's iconic flag, Pimlico's weathervane and cupola, and the black-eyed Susan flower.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of flower
Noun
  • Its spacious third row remains a particularly compelling advantage for families who regularly transport several adults or older children.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • People with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, young children and anyone 65 or older are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu, and Turner urged anyone fitting those categories to take extra precautions this season.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of child
Verb
  • As the company blossomed, Sandy was able to quit her job as a Medicaid specialist and become a full-time employee, documenting their travels with videos and photographs and assisting with social media.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Like an unassuming plant from outer space, Little Shop of Horrors had humble beginnings—but managed to blossom at a surprising rate.
    — Andrew Buss, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of blossom
Noun
  • The Smithsonian National Zoo welcomed five cheetah cubs this month.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The living cub tried valiantly to bring his brother back to life.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of cub
Verb
  • The Duomo is just five minutes on foot, and the Academy of Brera with its blooming Botanical Garden is even closer.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Beyond it, the terrace blooms with 12 trees, aromatic roses, and clematis.
    — David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of bloom
Verb
  • These emotions are pertinent not only to the plant or leaf itself but also to living matter in its vicinity.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Planting a leafed-out, growing hosta from a pot is identical to any other transplanting process.
    — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 29 June 2026
Definition of leaf

Browse Nearby Words

bucolic
bud
budded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bud. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on bud

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bud

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of satiate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All