ruderude /ruːd/ ●●● S3 adjective (comparative ruder, superlative rudest) 
a rude remark I didn’t mean to be rude, but I had to leave early.rude to Why are you so rude to her?it is rude to do something It’s rude to stare.2rude jokes, words, songs etc are about sex SYN dirty American English3rude awakening/shock a situation in which you suddenly realize something unpleasant: If they expect the match to be friendly, they’re in for a rude awakening.4in rude health British English old-fashioned very healthy5literary made in a simple basic way: a rude wooden hut—rudely adverb: We were rudely awakened by the storm. He answered me very rudely.—rudeness noun [uncountable]THESAURUSrude not following the rules of good social behaviour or treating other people with a lack of respect: · It’s rude to interrupt.· He’s the rudest man I’ve ever met.· rude remarks about her stomachimpolite/not polite not following the rules of good social behaviour. Impolite sounds rather formal: · It is impolite to stare.· It’s not polite to talk with your mouth full of food.cheeky British English, smart/sassy American English behaving in a way that is a little rude, especially when this is amusing or annoying – used especially about children: · a cheeky grin· Let go, you cheeky monkey (=cheeky child)!· Don’t get smart with me!tactless saying things that are likely to upset or embarrass someone, without intending to: · a tactless remark· How could you be so tactless?offensive speaking or behaving in a way that is likely to upset or offend someone: · His remarks are offensive to African-Americans.· offensive languageinsulting speaking or behaving in a way that is very rude and offensive to someone: · comments that are insulting to women· The article was full of insulting language.discourteous /dɪsˈkɜːtiəs $ -ɜːr-/ formal rather rude. Discourteous sounds very formal and is often used when talking about being careful not to upset someone’s feelings: · He did not wish to appear discourteous towards his host.· It would seem discourteous to refuse her offer.ill-mannered (also bad-mannered) especially written behaving in a rude way, especially because you have never been taught how to behave politely: · Ill-mannered movie-goers talked throughout the entire picture.· It was very bad-mannered.disrespectful not showing the proper respect for someone or something: · I felt her comments were disrespectful to all the people who have worked so hard on this project.impertinent formal not showing a proper respect for someone, especially by asking or talking about subjects that you do not have a right to know about: · an impertinent question about his private life· an impertinent young man· Would it be impertinent to ask how old you are?insolent formal behaving in a way that is deliberately very rude to someone in authority: · The girl’s only response was an insolent stare.· Don’t be so insolent!impudent formal rude, and having no respect for people who are older or more important: · The boy gave an impudent smile.irreverent showing a lack of respect for someone or something who people are supposed to respect – used especially about comedy programmes and newspaper articles: · an irreverent look at the week’s events· his irreverent sense of humourCOLLOCATIONS CHECKcheeky boy/monkey/grinimpertinent questioninsulting behaviour/remark/comment/languageinsolent stare/tonetactless remark/question/attempt
WORD ORIGINrude
Origin:
1200-1300 Old French, Latin rudis ‘raw, rough’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Are you being rude about my cooking?
- He's one of the rudest people I've ever met.
- I don't mean to be rude, but could you tell your children to keep quiet?
- I don't mean to be rude, but I have to get going.
- I don't want to hear any more of your rude jokes, Damien -- shut up.
- I know you're upset, but there's no need to be rude to your mother.
- I thought it was very rude of her not to answer my letter.
- If you are going to tell the children some of your stories make sure they aren't too rude.
- It's rude to interrupt people when they are speaking.
- She is always frank and direct, but she is never rude.
- The inhabitants lived in rude mud huts.
- What a rude man! He just ignored me when I said "Good morning".
- A no-smacking ban will not produce rude or anarchic children.
- But shopping for food in Miyako brought a rude shock.
- Children are taught, for sound historical reasons, that to point is rude.
- Her sister, 10-year-old Claire, was amazed that people could make rude jokes and not get into trouble for it.
- It was a shockingly rude question, but Dukakis' lack of passion in fielding it was revealing.
- Other angry motorists blew their horns and flashed rude two-finger salutes when they finally managed to overtake him.
- Toward others, he could be dismissive, insensitive, rude.
THESAURUS
not following the rules of good social behaviour or treating other people with a lack of respect: · It’s rude to interrupt.· He’s the rudest man I’ve ever met.· rude remarks about her stomach
not following the rules of good social behaviour. Impolite sounds rather formal: · It is impolite to stare.· It’s not polite to talk with your mouth full of food.
British English, smart/sassy American English behaving in a way that is a little rude, especially when this is amusing or annoying – used especially about children: · a cheeky grin· Let go, you cheeky monkey (=cheeky child)!· Don’t get smart with me!
saying things that are likely to upset or embarrass someone, without intending to: · a tactless remark· How could you be so tactless?
speaking or behaving in a way that is likely to upset or offend someone: · His remarks are offensive to African-Americans.· offensive language
speaking or behaving in a way that is very rude and offensive to someone: · comments that are insulting to women· The article was full of insulting language.
formal rather rude. Discourteous sounds very formal and is often used when talking about being careful not to upset someone’s feelings: · He did not wish to appear discourteous towards his host.· It would seem discourteous to refuse her offer.
(also bad-mannered) especially written behaving in a rude way, especially because you have never been taught how to behave politely: · Ill-mannered movie-goers talked throughout the entire picture.· It was very bad-mannered.
not showing the proper respect for someone or something: · I felt her comments were disrespectful to all the people who have worked so hard on this project.
formal not showing a proper respect for someone, especially by asking or talking about subjects that you do not have a right to know about: · an impertinent question about his private life· an impertinent young man· Would it be impertinent to ask how old you are?
formal behaving in a way that is deliberately very rude to someone in authority: · The girl’s only response was an insolent stare.· Don’t be so insolent!
formal rude, and having no respect for people who are older or more important: · The boy gave an impudent smile.
showing a lack of respect for someone or something who people are supposed to respect – used especially about comedy programmes and newspaper articles: · an irreverent look at the week’s events· his irreverent sense of humour
Longman Language Activatorrude/not polite someone who is rude upsets or offends people by not following the rules of good social behaviour and not considering other people's feelings: · What a rude man! He just ignored me when I said "Good morning".· I don't mean to be rude, but could you tell your children to keep quiet?· He's one of the rudest people I've ever met.rude to: · I know you're upset, but there's no need to be rude to your mother.rude about: · Are you being rude about my cooking?it is rude to do something: · It's rude to interrupt people when they are speaking.it is rude of somebody to do something: · I thought it was very rude of her not to answer my letter.
not following the rules of accepted social behaviour, especially when someone does this without realizing it - use this especially about the things that people do or say, rather than about people themselves: · In Senegal it is considered impolite if you do not share your food.· You weren't very polite to her.it is impolite/not polite to do something: · I was tired, but I thought it might not be polite to leave so early.· It is impolite and inconsiderate for people to drop in uninvited.
someone who is tactless upsets or embarrasses someone else, without intending to, by mentioning something that it would be better not to talk about: · I wanted to know about her divorce, but I thought it would be tactless to ask.· She was often tactless and insensitive.· tactless remarks
seeming rude or unkind because you say what you think very directly, so that people are annoyed or offended: · Harris was abrasive and arrogant.· Anson's abrasive personality has landed her in trouble many times in the past.
someone who has bad manners does not behave politely in social situations, for example by not saying "please" and "thank you": · Marilyn apologized for her husband's bad manners.it is bad manners to do something: · It is bad manners to talk with your mouth full.
behaving in a rude and unpleasant way, especially because of never having been taught how to be polite: · Her children are incredibly bad-mannered -- she should be more strict with them.· Ill-mannered movie-goers talked and took cell phone calls during the picture. · As soon as some English people go abroad, they seem to change into bad-mannered, insensitive oafs.
formal not behaving in a polite way - use this especially about people's remarks or behaviour: · It would have seemed discourteous to refuse his offer.discourteous to: · He claimed that the officer had been discourteous to him.
to deliberately behave in a rude and unfriendly way towards someone: · He can be very unpleasant when he's in a bad mood.· It isn't necessary to be that unpleasant, Mike.be unpleasant to: · She was shocked at how unpleasant the children were to their mother.
rude, loud, and unpleasant - use this especially about people's behaviour: · The behaviour of some politicians in debates is simply loutish and intimidating.· They considered my boyfriend to be loutish and a bit stupid.· loutish behaviour
when someone is rude to teachers, parents etc rude, especially towards someone you should respect, for example your parents or someone in authority: · A letter from the school arrived, saying that Joey had been both disobedient and disrespectful.disrespectful to: · In Chinese culture, it is considered disrespectful to both the living and the dead to live near a burial ground.disrespectful about British: · He thought I was being disrespectful about his country.it is disrespectful (for somebody) to do something: · Some older people think it disrespectful for strangers to call them by their first name.
British making rude remarks to or asking personal questions of someone you should respect - use this especially about children: · I don't like teaching that class - the kids are all so cheeky.· What do you mean, I'm fat? You cheeky devil!
rude and showing no respect for someone in authority, especially by saying things or asking questions about something that it is not your right to know or discuss: · By now he had gotten used to reporters' impertinent questions about his private life.· Could I ask how old you are, or would that be impertinent?
formal someone who is impudent , especially a child or young person, is rude and has no respect for people who are older or more important: · She didn't think the child's questions were endearing -- just impudent.· On the cover was a picture on an impudent boy sticking out his tongue.
formal very rude to someone in authority and appearing to have no respect for them, especially by not doing what they tell you to do: · Although she didn't actually say anything offensive, her expression was sulky, insolent, and hostile.
American if a young person is sassy , they are not polite to teachers, parents, or other people in authority, especially because they argue or try to be funny when someone tells them what to do: · She was sassy and smart, and all the kids liked her.· Becky was a sassy, rambunctious New York girl he'd met when visiting his aunt.· a sassy brat
to offend or behave in a rude way towards someone: · The ambassador said it had not been his intention to disrespect the US government.· Some students do feel that teachers disrespect them.
spoken informal to criticize someone rudely: · Just don't diss my little brother, OK?· Politicians are always dissing football supporters.
when someone speaks to you in a rude way, using very few words replying in very few words in a way that seems rude: · She answered their questions with a curt "No comment".· Polly was curt and businesslike with her clients.· Her story was sent back with a curt rejection note.
a terse message, reply, statement etc uses very few words and is deliberately intended to make people stop speaking to you or asking you questions: · The terse announcement gave no reason for Harris's resignation.· "We're in the process of negotiations," Russo said in a terse statement to reporters.
using few words and saying directly what you think, because that is the way you usually speak, even though it often seems rude to other people: · Mathison's brusque style tends to irritate colleagues.· In public he appears brusque and dismissive, but he is in fact a very caring person.
treating someone's ideas, suggestions, or problems as if they are not at all important or serious, especially by dealing with them in very few words and then changing the subject: · She was very dismissive when I tried to tell her about my problems at work.dismissive of: · Teenagers who have jobs can be quite dismissive of their peers who don't.
to speak to someone in a rude way, using very few words, especially because you are angry with them: · I'm sorry if I was short with you, but I was worried about my interview.· She was very short with me. I wonder if I've offended her in some way.
seeming rude and unfriendly because you answer questions or talk to someone in a quick, direct way, especially because you do not want to waste time in friendly conversation: · "It won't work," Mitchell says in his abrupt, no-nonsense style.· His new boss was abrupt and didn't seem interested in his proposals.
someone who behaves rudely British a young man who is rude, noisy, and sometimes violent: · A dozen yobs stood outside the pub.· Residents complained that yobs had been vandalizing their gardens.yob culture (=TV programmes, films, and other forms of entertainment that involve rudeness and unintelligent behaviour): · Our TV screens have been taken over by so-called yob culture.
especially American an annoying person who behaves in a stupid way, for example by behaving in a rude and unpleasant way: · Ignore him. He's just a jerk.· He's an unprofessional jerk who's always pestering the women in the office.real/total jerk: · Her husband was being a real jerk about the divorce.
a man or boy who behaves in a rude and violent way: · A few foul-mouthed louts in the crowd were shouting racist abuse.· Only a lout would treat a woman that way.lager louts British (=young men who drink too much beer and behave in rude or violent way): · We stood at the bar being jostled by some thick-necked lager louts.
to do something rude without seeming ashamed or embarrassed also have the cheek British if someone has the nerve to do something, they do something that you think is so rude that you are surprised they did it: have the nerve to do something: · He forgot our anniversary and then had the nerve to ask what I got him when I reminded him about it.have a nerve/cheekBritish /have (some) nerve American: · He's got a cheek, coming back at midnight and then expecting me to cook his dinner.what a nerve/cheekBritish /what a nerve American: · What a nerve! I hope you didn't give him the money!
if someone has the gall to do something , they do something that you think is very rude and unreasonable: · I can't believe he had the gall to ask you for money.· Ruth was always on the phone and yet she had the gall to tell me off for making one call.
rude and offensive words formal language that most people think is offensive: · Even very young children are using foul language at school.· The computer chip allows parents to block programs containing violence, sex, or bad language.
language that most people think is offensive - used especially to warn people that there may be offensive words used in a film or television programme: · The following programme contains strong language, and some viewers may find it offensive.· The film has lots of violence, scenes of drug-taking, and strong language.
language that uses a lot of swear words - use this in humorous contexts: · The colourful language of some of the characters may make it unsuitable for younger viewers.
a word that most people think is extremely offensive, especially one that is connected with sex or the sexual organs: · Rap songs are full of four-letter words.· It's a family show, with no four-letter words.
a rude and offensive word that people use especially when they are angry: · He wasn't the type of man to use swear words.· We had to take all the swear words out of the play.
a word or expression, especially about sex, that most people think is extremely offensive: · Someone had written obscenities all over the classroom wall.· Rick burst into the apartment, drunk and shouting obscenities.
remarks, words etc that are unprintable are too offensive to appear in a newspaper, magazine, or book: · Most of what she said in the interview was unprintable.· Chief McNally admits he's been called many things, some of them unprintable.
to use rude and offensive words · He swore angrily when he realized he'd missed the train.· Don't swear like that in front of the children!swear at · Officers say the suspect swore at them and threw a punch.
American informal to swear: · Unlike his teammates, Jones doesn't drink or cuss.cuss at: · He started cussing at the policeman who stopped him.cuss somebody out/cuss out somebody (=swear at someone angrily): · Jeez, what if I get mad and start cussing out the kids in my class!
someone who is foul-mouthed swears a lot: · If kids are foul-mouthed and rude, it's probably because they hear that kind of language at home.· Kinison was known for his screaming, foul-mouthed comic routines.
to be very rude to someone to be very rude and unpleasant to someone, either by saying rude things to them or by making them feel stupid or unimportant: · Jarvis was fired for insulting a customer.· They offered me $20 for a whole day's work - I felt really insulted.
to speak or behave towards someone in a way that offends them: · My mother doesn't like my boyfriend because he was rude to her once.· You shouldn't let her be so rude to you.
to say a lot of rude, offensive, unpleasant things to someone, especially when you are angry with them: · The men were getting drunk on cheap beer and some had started abusing passers-by.verbally abuse (=to say something very rude to someone): · The player was reported to the tournament director for verbally abusing match officials.
to shout a lot of rude and offensive things at someone: · The crowd screamed abuse as the two men accused of the murder left the court in police vans.· Strikers outside the factory gate were shouting abuse at anybody who tried to get past them.
to try to offend someone by calling them rude names in the way that children do: · He tried to make Oliver cry by hitting him, pulling his hair, and calling him names.· "She said I was a fat pig.'' "Oh, I've been called far worse names than that.''
if an action or someone's behaviour is an insult , it offends you because it shows no respect: · The pay offer of 2% was an insult.be an insult to: · The girl's father claimed the portrait revealing his daughter's face was an insult to Islam.
books, jokes, remarks etc that are about sex in an amusing way also saucy informal a joke, remark, song etc that is risqué or saucy is about sex and is slightly shocking and amusing: · Those jokes are a bit risqué -- don't tell them in front of your grandparents.· Edgar kept us entertained with a stream of unusual and rather saucy stories.
remarks, questions etc that are suggestive have a slightly hidden meaning that is about sex: · When she worked in the pub, men used to make suggestive remarks to her all the time.· The film "Tom Jones' is famous for its sexually suggestive eating scene.
remarks that are intended to make you think about sex even though they do not directly mention sex: · The programme consists of an hour of sexist banter and innuendo.· She found his relentless sexual innuendoes irritating.
British jokes, stories, songs etc that are rude deal with sex or parts of the body, especially in a slightly stupid way: · I don't want to hear any more of your rude jokes, Damien -- shut up.· If you are going to tell the children some of your stories make sure they aren't too rude.
British spoken use this to describe magazines, pictures, songs etc that deal with sex in a rude, but not very serious, way: · Dennis sat on his bed reading a naughty magazine.· They were reading an American novel that seemed to have had all the naughty bits cut out.
something that shocks you something very bad or unpleasant that happens to you and that you did not expect: · "The bill came to almost £500." "That must have been a shock."get a shock: · Gary got a shock when his ex-girlfriend turned up on his doorstep.give somebody a shock: · It gave me a shock to realize that I had almost died.with a shock: · He realised with a faint shock that it was Lulu, much older but still beautiful.be in for a shock (=used to say someone will be shocked when they discover something): · If the FBI thought they could outwit him, they were in for a shock.a rude shock British (=a big and very unpleasant shock): · Going on holiday with Ian had been a rude shock -- he'd been argumentative, mean and not at all what she'd expected.
an unpleasant event or piece of news that makes you shocked, upset, and disappointed: · Not being allowed to return to her own country was a blow from which she never really recovered.blow to: · The Colorado river was closed, a bitter blow to rafters and kayakers who may have to wait seven years for a river use permit. deal somebody a blow: · His championship hopes were dealt a savage blow last night when he received a hamstring injury.
a piece of news which is extremely shocking and bad: drop a bombshell (=tell people something very shocking or surprising): · Then Vanessa dropped the bombshell that she was leaving - and leaving that night.come as a bombshell: · For the board of directors, the news of the crash came as a bombshell.
a sudden shock that happens when you find out the unpleasant truth about a situation: · Moving to the city was a rude awakening for an innocent country girl like Eli.be in for a rude awakening (=used to say that someone will be unpleasantly shocked when they discover something): · I was expecting the oral exam to be easy, but I was in for a rude awakening.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Confident that he would win, he had a rude awakening (=very unpleasant surprise) on election day.
Confident that he would win, he had a rude awakening (=very unpleasant surprise) on election day.· Luke made a rude gesture with his finger.
· The children kept interrupting and making rude remarks.
formal (=one that is unexpected and unpleasant but not serious)· Shopping for food in Miyako brought a rude shock. The prices were breathtaking.
· Someone had written a rude word on the back of his chair.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· But he's so rude, he seems to think his troubles are all our fault.· He is so rude that three employees have written complaints against him.· She's so rude and ungrateful for everything we do.· Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman?· Stop being so rude to her father - walking out when he gives her advice.
· Ramsey was very rude to him in the debate.· The techniques were sometimes very rude.· She has been very rude and unkind to me.· Would he think her very rude and stand-offish now?· She ended up being very rude to the man.· I was very rude and tactless with your grandmother.· In conversation, he could be very rude about his colleagues.· He was unsure of the exact translation but he knew it to be very, very rude.
NOUN· The only good thing about his rude awakening was the discovery of a gigantic hedgehog behind one of the goalposts.· This rude awakening was, however, still a few years away at the time when Dustin joined.· But, come the morning, Ronni was in for a rude awakening.· Four months after the self-determination speech he received a rude awakening on both scores.· Well, it was a rude awakening.· Eric Young's tackle proved a rude awakening.· Our first rude awakening was at Naushki for Soviet border formalities.
· Its record provides hard evidence to support his picture of a service in rude health rather than decline.
· The case has gone against the Pings, but it was a rude shock in a world of gentlemen.· After Monica, going to bed with Ian had been a rude shock.· But shopping for food in Miyako brought a rude shock.
· No, the rude word was not sung at the end of the fourth line but the implication was there.· The threat was enough to stop Rita and Bob going as far as their friends with real rude words.· The technique was developed to keep rude words off radio phone-ins.· A bicycle is not profiled the same and the pannier bags were constantly grabbed, causing many a rude word.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
- But shopping for food in Miyako brought a rude shock.
- But, come the morning, Ronni was in for a rude awakening.
- Conservative elements steeped in uniformitarian philosophy cannot be expected to welcome such a rude awakening.
- Renters who move into a vacated apartment face the rude awakening of the market rate an owner is permitted to charge.
- The case has gone against the Pings, but it was a rude shock in a world of gentlemen.
- The only good thing about his rude awakening was the discovery of a gigantic hedgehog behind one of the goalposts.
- This rude awakening was, however, still a few years away at the time when Dustin joined.
- He came from a long-lived line and was himself in rude health.
- Its record provides hard evidence to support his picture of a service in rude health rather than decline.
WORD FAMILYnounrudenessadjectiverudeadverbrudely
1speaking or behaving in a way that is not polite and is likely to offend or annoy people SYN impolite OPP polite: a rude remark I didn’t mean to be rude, but I had to leave early.rude to Why are you so rude to her?it is rude to do something It’s rude to stare.2rude jokes, words, songs etc are about sex SYN dirty American English3rude awakening/shock a situation in which you suddenly realize something unpleasant: If they expect the match to be friendly, they’re in for a rude awakening.4in rude health British English old-fashioned very healthy5literary made in a simple basic way: a rude wooden hut—rudely adverb: We were rudely awakened by the storm. He answered me very rudely.—rudeness noun [uncountable]THESAURUSrude not following the rules of good social behaviour or treating other people with a lack of respect: · It’s rude to interrupt.· He’s the rudest man I’ve ever met.· rude remarks about her stomachimpolite/not polite not following the rules of good social behaviour. Impolite sounds rather formal: · It is impolite to stare.· It’s not polite to talk with your mouth full of food.cheeky British English, smart/sassy American English behaving in a way that is a little rude, especially when this is amusing or annoying – used especially about children: · a cheeky grin· Let go, you cheeky monkey (=cheeky child)!· Don’t get smart with me!tactless saying things that are likely to upset or embarrass someone, without intending to: · a tactless remark· How could you be so tactless?offensive speaking or behaving in a way that is likely to upset or offend someone: · His remarks are offensive to African-Americans.· offensive languageinsulting speaking or behaving in a way that is very rude and offensive to someone: · comments that are insulting to women· The article was full of insulting language.discourteous /dɪsˈkɜːtiəs $ -ɜːr-/ formal rather rude. Discourteous sounds very formal and is often used when talking about being careful not to upset someone’s feelings: · He did not wish to appear discourteous towards his host.· It would seem discourteous to refuse her offer.ill-mannered (also bad-mannered) especially written behaving in a rude way, especially because you have never been taught how to behave politely: · Ill-mannered movie-goers talked throughout the entire picture.· It was very bad-mannered.disrespectful not showing the proper respect for someone or something: · I felt her comments were disrespectful to all the people who have worked so hard on this project.impertinent formal not showing a proper respect for someone, especially by asking or talking about subjects that you do not have a right to know about: · an impertinent question about his private life· an impertinent young man· Would it be impertinent to ask how old you are?insolent formal behaving in a way that is deliberately very rude to someone in authority: · The girl’s only response was an insolent stare.· Don’t be so insolent!impudent formal rude, and having no respect for people who are older or more important: · The boy gave an impudent smile.irreverent showing a lack of respect for someone or something who people are supposed to respect – used especially about comedy programmes and newspaper articles: · an irreverent look at the week’s events· his irreverent sense of humourCOLLOCATIONS CHECKcheeky boy/monkey/grinimpertinent questioninsulting behaviour/remark/comment/languageinsolent stare/tonetactless remark/question/attempt