prudish

[ proo-dish ]

adjective

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

   Synonyms: coy, reserved

2. characteristic of a prude.

Other Words From

• prudish·ly adverb
• prudish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prudish¹

First recorded in 1710–20; prude + -ish ¹

Synonym Study

See modest.

Example Sentences

And secondly, the American voter is far less prudish than many assume, a point brought home by another sexual scandal from a different political age.

From BBC

“It was clear that we couldn’t make a prudish film,” says Lanthimos.

From Los Angeles Times

Prudes are going to be prudish, so no point in trying to appease them in a show that’s all about the havoc that’s wrought when human biology is denied by moralistic zealots.

From Los Angeles Times

Gay activists who thought she was too prudish.

From Los Angeles Times

The embrace of a misleading and prudish term like "abortion trafficking" also illustrates why Republicans are having such trouble reskinning themselves as "moderate" or "compassionate" on the issue of abortion.

From Salon

Related Words

• fastidious
• narrow-minded
• prissy
• puritanical
• squeamish
• uptight