rude

/ruːd/ (bre, ipa) · /ruːd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈrüd/ (ame, mw)

rude — adjective

  • rudepositive
  • rudercomparative
  • rudestsuperlative

1. showing disregard for other people through words or actions, often in a way that

1.形容詞B1
釋義

showing disregard for other people through words or actions, often in a way that embarrasses or offends them

例句

Pim's grandmother taught him that it is rude to interrupt someone who is speaking.

it is rude to + infinitive

A customer sent a rude email to the manager and later apologized for it.

同義詞
  • impolite

    more formal and slightly milder; suggests a lack of good manners rather than deliberate offense

  • disrespectful

    stronger than rude; implies the person actively failed to show proper respect

  • discourteous

    very formal; rare in everyday conversation, mostly in written complaints or official contexts

反義詞
  • polite

    the most common opposite

  • courteous

    more formal; suggests careful consideration of others

文法句型

rude to + noun phrase

it is rude to + infinitive

find + noun + rude

常見錯誤

❌The boss was rude with his staff.
✅The boss was rude to his staff.
💡the correct preposition is 'to,' not 'with.'

2. about sex or bodily functions in a manner most people consider offensive, partic

2.形容詞B2
釋義

about sex or bodily functions in a manner most people consider offensive, particularly when mentioned in an inappropriate setting

例句

Bilal's parents asked him to turn off the film because it contained rude content.

rude + noun (content / joke / language / picture)

The teacher sent a note home after Sana's son used rude language in class.

同義詞
  • vulgar

    focuses on coarseness and lack of refinement; slightly stronger than 'rude'

  • crude

    emphasizes the clumsy, unpolished nature of the content

  • offensive

    broader; covers any kind of offense, not just sexual

反義詞
  • decent

    socially acceptable and appropriate

  • proper

    following accepted standards of behavior

文法句型

rude + noun (joke / story / word / picture / language / content)

用法筆記

Often used to describe jokes, stories, words, or pictures that are considered offensive because of their sexual content. The word 'vulgar' is a close synonym but focuses more on the lack of refinement, while 'rude' in this sense focuses on social inappropriateness.

常見錯誤

❌He told a rude joke' is too vague when you mean specifically an offensive sexual joke.
✅He told a rude joke about body parts
💡adding context clarifies which sense of 'rude' you mean.

3. happening without warning and causing a feeling of shock or discomfort

3.形容詞B2
釋義

happening without warning and causing a feeling of shock or discomfort

例句

The family got a rude surprise when the landlord raised the rent without notice.

rude surprise / rude awakening

Ignacio faced a rude awakening on his first day when he saw the workload.

同義詞
  • abrupt

    focuses on unexpectedness without the same negative emotional force

  • jarring

    emphasizes the shock or unpleasant feeling more strongly

  • disconcerting

    more formal; suggests confusion or unease

反義詞

文法句型

rude + noun (awakening / surprise / shock / end / halt)

用法筆記

Typically appears in fixed collocations such as 'rude awakening,' 'rude surprise,' 'rude shock,' 'rude end,' and 'rude halt.' Unlike senses 1 and 2, this sense cannot modify people or their behaviour directly. You would not say 'a rude person' to mean 'a person who gives a sudden shock.'

常見錯誤

❌He had a rude dream.
✅He had a rude awakening when he saw the bills.
💡'rude' in the sense of 'sudden and unpleasant' only works within fixed collocations like 'rude awakening,' not freely with any noun.

4. made in a basic or unfinished way, without much skill or attention to detail

4.形容詞B2
釋義

made in a basic or unfinished way, without much skill or attention to detail

例句

The hikers built a rude shelter from branches and leaves before the storm arrived.

rude + noun (shelter / hut / table / map)

Grandma Rosa used old boards to make a rude table for the outdoor market stall.

同義詞
  • crude

    the closest synonym; also describes something made simply, but can imply poor quality

  • primitive

    suggests an early stage of development rather than lack of skill

  • rough

    emphasizes the unfinished or uneven surface

反義詞

文法句型

rude + noun (hut / shelter / table / bench / diagram / map)

用法筆記

This is the oldest sense of 'rude,' preserved from its Latin origin 'rudis' meaning 'rough.' It is less common in everyday speech than senses 1 or 2. 'Crude' and 'primitive' are more frequent modern alternatives for this meaning.

5. in excellent physical condition, full of strength and energy — used especially o

5.形容詞C1
釋義

in excellent physical condition, full of strength and energy — used especially of people who are surprisingly healthy for their age

例句

At eighty-five, Grandma Chen is in rude health and walks to the shops every morning.

in rude health (British, informal)

The doctor said Xiu's father was in remarkably rude health for his age.

同義詞
  • robust

    similar register but neutral; does not carry the 'surprising' nuance

  • vigorous

    focuses on energy and strength rather than health status

  • fit as a fiddle

    idiomatic; similar level of informality

反義詞
  • frail

    weak and in poor health

  • ailing

    suffering from a health problem

文法句型

in rude health

用法筆記

British, informal. Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'in rude health' to describe someone who is surprisingly healthy, especially for their age. Cannot be used as a standalone adjective — you would not say 'a rude man' to mean 'a healthy man.'

常見錯誤

❌My grandfather is rude for his age.
✅My grandfather is in rude health for his age.
💡the phrase requires the preposition 'in'; 'rude' alone does not carry this meaning.