prude
/prude/
Definition
- Noun:
- A person who is excessively concerned with propriety and decorum, especially in matters of sex or modesty: A prude is someone who is easily shocked by or disapproves of things that other people consider normal, particularly regarding sexual behavior, language, or dress. They often present themselves as being very proper or modest.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- She was considered a prude by her friends because she refused to watch the R-rated movie.
- Don't be such a prude; it's just a harmless joke.
- His prude of an aunt was scandalized by the modern art exhibition.
Advanced Usage
- "To act the prude": To behave in an overly modest or easily shocked manner, often in a way that seems affected or insincere.
- She's just acting the prude to get attention.
Variants and Related Words
- Prudish (adj): Behaving like a prude; excessively concerned with propriety or modesty.
- His prudish attitude made it difficult to have an open conversation.
- Prudery (n): The characteristic or behavior of a prude; excessive modesty or propriety.
- The novel was banned in the 19th century due to societal prudery.
Synonyms
- Puritan: A person with censorious moral beliefs, especially about pleasure and sex.
- Prig: A self-righteously moralistic person who behaves as if superior to others.
- Victorian: (When used to describe a person) Having attitudes thought to be typical of the Victorian period, especially being prudish or strict.
Antonyms
- Libertine: A person, especially a man, who behaves without moral principles or a sense of responsibility, particularly in sexual matters.
- Hedonist: A person who believes that the pursuit of pleasure is the most important thing in life.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "To be a bit of a prude": A common, slightly informal way to describe someone as being overly modest or easily shocked.
- He's a bit of a prude when it comes to discussing relationships.
Noun
-
a person excessively concerned about propriety and decorum
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