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
• gruff
• unmannerly
• uncivil
• curt
• impertinent
• improper
• uncalled-for
• vulgar

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

Politically incorrect and in-your-face, with plenty of dark humor accentuating the drama, the show resembles the more cutting-edge TV — think Borgen or Rita — made by Sweden’s ruder neighbor Denmark. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026

Etiquette neither knows nor cares who is generous and who is stingy, and indecisive and rude are not opposites. —Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026

In another Instagram Stories post, the Grammy winner responded to people who accused her of being rude to fans seeking her autograph in public, especially the younger ones. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026

The students aren’t being rude by ignoring the musicians. —ABC News, 26 Mar. 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
• crude
• cued
• dude
• feud
• food
• glued

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