English Reference
adjective · noun

nude

adj. · n.
US /ˈnud/ UK /njˈuːd/ nude UK spelling nudes

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.not wearing any clothes; naked.

    adj.without clothing or other covering of the skin; naked.

    Simple

    The swimmers found a quiet beach where they could go nude.

    In context

    The protesters marched through the city centre nude to draw attention to their environmental campaign, though they were eventually stopped by local authorities.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.having a pale pink or tan colour that looks like skin.

    adj.of a colour, such as beige or tan, intended to match or evoke the appearance of bare skin.

    Simple

    She wore a pair of nude heels that matched her skin tone perfectly.

    In context

    The fashion designer's spring collection focused on a palette of nude and earthy tones, aiming for a minimalist and natural aesthetic.

    flesh tonedbeigetan
  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Theatre

    n.a painting, photo, or statue of a person who is not wearing clothes.

    n.a work of art, such as a painting or sculpture, depicting the unclothed human figure.

    Simple

    The museum has a famous gallery dedicated to classical nudes.

    In context

    The exhibition traces the evolution of the nude in Western art, from idealised Greek sculptures to the more realistic portrayals of the Renaissance.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.the state of being naked.

    n.the state of total nudity; often used in the phrase 'in the nude'.

    Simple

    He prefers to sleep in the nude during the hot summer months.

    In context

    The artist's memoir describes the liberation she felt while living in a community where everyone spent their days in the nude.

    nuditynakedness
  5. 05 C2 Proficiency ArchaicTechnical Law

    adj.not legally valid or having no power.

    adj.lacking legal force or effect; void.

    Simple

    The old contract was considered nude because it lacked a proper signature.

    In context

    The judge ruled the agreement was a nude pact, as it lacked the necessary consideration to be enforceable under common law.

    Usage

    Commonly found in the Latin legal phrase 'nudum pactum' (a bare promise).

Marval is believed to have created one of the earliest female nude self-portraits in the history of painting.

The Guardian· 19 Aug 2026

Entered English 1493 as a legal term, meaning "unsupported, not formally attested," from Middle English nud, from Latin nūdus (“naked, bare”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin nūdus
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated