Word family noun rudeness adjective rude adverb rudely
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishruderude /ruːd/ ●●● S3 adjective (comparative ruder, superlative rudest) 1 RUDE/IMPOLITEspeaking 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.2 RUDE/OBSCENErude jokes, words, songs etc are about sex SYN dirty American English3 → rude awakening/shock4 → in rude health5 literarySIMPLE/NOT COMPLICATED 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 respectIt’s rude to interrupt.He’s the rudest man I’ve ever met.rude remarks about her stomach impolite/not polite not following the rules of good social behaviour. Impolite sounds rather formalIt 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 childrena cheeky grinLet 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 toa tactless remarkHow could you be so tactless?offensive speaking or behaving in a way that is likely to upset or offend someoneHis remarks are offensive to African-Americans.offensive languageinsulting speaking or behaving in a way that is very rude and offensive to someonecomments that are insulting to womenThe 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 feelingsHe 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 politelyIll-mannered movie-goers talked throughout the entire picture.It was very bad-mannered.disrespectful not showing the proper respect for someone or somethingI 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 aboutan impertinent question about his private lifean impertinent young manWould it be impertinent to ask how old you are?insolent formal behaving in a way that is deliberately very rude to someone in authorityThe 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 importantThe 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 articlesan irreverent look at the week’s eventshis irreverent sense of humourCOLLOCATIONS CHECKcheeky boy/monkey/grinimpertinent questioninsulting behaviour/remark/comment/languageinsolent stare/tonetactless remark/question/attemptExamples from the Corpus
rude• She is always frank and direct, but she is never rude.• Children are taught, for sound historical reasons, that to point is rude.• Toward others, he could be dismissive, insensitive, rude.• If you are going to tell the children some of your stories make sure they aren't too rude.• Are you being rude about my cooking?• 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.• Her sister, 10-year-old Claire, was amazed that people could make rude jokes and not get into trouble for it.• I don't want to hear any more of your rude jokes, Damien -- shut up.• What a rude man! He just ignored me when I said "Good morning".• The inhabitants lived in rude mud huts.• I thought it was very rude of her not to answer my letter.• A no-smacking ban will not produce rude or anarchic children.• He's one of the rudest people I've ever met.• It was a shockingly rude question, but Dukakis' lack of passion in fielding it was revealing.• But shopping for food in Miyako brought a rude shock.• It's rude to interrupt people when they are speaking.• I know you're upset, but there's no need to be rude to your mother.• Other angry motorists blew their horns and flashed rude two-finger salutes when they finally managed to overtake him.Origin rude (1200-1300) Old French Latin rudis “raw, rough” 