# nude

/ˈnud/ (US) · /njˈuːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nude
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. not wearing clothes

adjective · CEFR B2

not wearing any clothes; naked.

For teachers: without clothing or other covering of the skin; naked.

- The swimmers found a quiet beach where they could go nude.
- The protesters marched through the city centre nude to draw attention to their environmental campaign, though they were eventually stopped by local authorities.

### 2. skin-coloured

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- She wore a pair of nude heels that matched her skin tone perfectly.
- The fashion designer's spring collection focused on a palette of nude and earthy tones, aiming for a minimalist and natural aesthetic.

### 3. artistic depiction

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The museum has a famous gallery dedicated to classical nudes.
- The exhibition traces the evolution of the nude in Western art, from idealised Greek sculptures to the more realistic portrayals of the Renaissance.

### 4. the state of nakedness

noun · CEFR B2

the state of being naked.

For teachers: the state of total nudity; often used in the phrase 'in the nude'.

- He prefers to sleep in the nude during the hot summer months.
- The artist's memoir describes the liberation she felt while living in a community where everyone spent their days in the nude.

### 5. legally void

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

not legally valid or having no power.

For teachers: lacking legal force or effect; void.

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

## Examples

- The museum has a famous nude by a French painter.
- The art student spent the afternoon sketching a classic nude to practice drawing realistic skin tones and shadows.
- While some viewers found the exhibition provocative, the curator argued that the nudes were intended to celebrate human vulnerability rather than to elicit a prurient response.

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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.