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prudish

[ proo-dish ]

/ ˈpru dɪʃ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR prudish ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

excessively proper or modest in speech, conduct, dress, etc.

characteristic of a prude.

Origin of prudish

First recorded in 1710–20; prude + -ish¹

SYNONYMS FOR prudish

1 reserved, coy. See modest.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR prudish ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM prudish

prud·ish·ly, adverb prud·ish·ness, noun

Words nearby prudish

prudent, prudential, prudentius, prudery, prudhoe bay, prudish, pruinose, prune, prune-belly syndrome, prunella, prunelle

Example sentences from the Web for prudish

Who knew a country notorious for selling used underwear in vending machines could be so prudish?

Japan’s Hypocritical Vagiphobia |Lizzie Crocker |July 16, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Deep they needed to be, because the Nazis could take offense quicker than a prudish Victorian spinster.

Did Hollywood Collaborate With Hitler? A New Book Makes Bold Claims. |Christopher Bray |September 9, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
She was the perfect African-American woman for prudish America to cling to—very pretty, fresh-faced, and immensely talented.

Whitney Houston: Anatomy of a Lesbian Rumor |Tricia Romano |February 13, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Conservative women who dare to run for office are simultaneously attacked as sleazy and prudish.

Stop Calling Them Sluts |Mark McKinnon |November 1, 2010 |DAILY BEAST

It set him thinking that it might be a prudish strain in the young man's mind, due to the System in difficulties.

The Ordeal of Richard Feverel, Complete |George Meredith
I was rather sorry he was so prudish, for it would have been a great treat for the maids, and something quite new.

Up the Country |Emily Eden
The prudish people think more about vulgarity than the vulgar themselves.

Under the Law |Edwina Stanton Babcock
Doa Beatriz of Moya is neither cold-hearted nor prudish, but all that is the reverse.

Mercedes of Castile |J. Fenimore Cooper
It is an absurd thing, after all, to be prudish and to thrust away the dish that is offered you.

His Excellency the Minister |Jules Claretie