# fudge

/ˈfədʒ/ (US) · /fˈʌdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fudge
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the candy

noun · CEFR B1

a soft, very sweet candy made from sugar, butter, and milk.

For teachers: a type of soft confectionery made by mixing sugar, butter, and milk or cream and heating it to the soft-ball stage.

- We bought a box of homemade chocolate fudge at the seaside shop.
- The recipe requires constant stirring to ensure the fudge achieves a smooth, creamy texture without becoming grainy or brittle.

### 2. a vague or messy solution

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a solution or answer that is not quite right or is meant to hide a mistake.

For teachers: a compromise or adjustment made to hide a flaw, avoid a difficult decision, or patch an incorrect result.

- The new law is a bit of a fudge that doesn't really solve the problem.
- Critics described the budget proposal as a political fudge designed to satisfy both wings of the party without committing to real reform.

### 3. to manipulate or avoid

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to change details or numbers slightly to make them look better than they are.

For teachers: to manipulate or adjust data, facts, or a situation in a slightly dishonest way to achieve a desired result.

- He tried to fudge the numbers in his report to make the sales look higher.
- The accountant was accused of trying to fudge the figures to hide the company's significant losses from the investors.

### 5. nonsense

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · Literary

silly talk or ideas that are not true.

For teachers: nonsense or foolish talk; often used to dismiss an argument as being without substance.

- Don't listen to him; what he's saying is pure fudge.
- The editorial dismissed the minister's explanation as mere fudge, intended to distract the public from the actual scandal.

## Examples

- She bought a small box of chocolate fudge at the seaside.
- The local bakery is famous for its homemade fudge, which they still stir by hand in large copper pots.
- While the texture of traditional fudge relies on the precise control of sugar crystallisation, modern recipes often use condensed milk to ensure a consistently smooth finish.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.