rude

adjective

ˈrüd 

ruder; rudest

1

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

2

: lacking refinement or delicacy:

a

: ignorant, unlearned

b

: inelegant, uncouth

c

: offensive in manner or action : discourteous

d

: uncivilized, savage

e

: coarse, vulgar

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

• artless
• clumsy
• crude
• jerry-built
• jerry-rigged
• jury-rigged
• rough
• rough-and-ready
• rough-and-tumble
• rough-hewn
• unrefined

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

Wondering how to get out of Dodge without being rude? —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2024

The officers weren't rude, angry, or insolent — as required of a battery conviction — and used their training and legal authority to do their jobs. —Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Dec. 2024

And on Friday evening, the Rockets visited Oklahoma City Thunder and got a rude reminder of the current Western Conference pecking order, losing 126-107. —Rahat Huq, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

The book goes out of its way to identify enemies: health-care workers, ignorant friends, sexist academics, rude strangers. —Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024

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 1a

Phrases Containing rude

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

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