# rude

/ˈɹud/ (US) · /ɹˈuːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rude
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. impolite

adjective · CEFR A2

not polite; having or showing bad manners towards other people.

For teachers: lacking in civility or discourteous in manner. This is the primary modern sense of the word.

- It is very rude to interrupt someone while they are speaking.
- The shop assistant was incredibly rude to the customers, refusing to answer basic questions about the products on display.

### 2. offensive or sexual

adjective · CEFR B1

relating to sex or things that people might find offensive or embarrassing.

For teachers: socially unacceptable or slightly obscene; often used to describe jokes, gestures, or language.

- He got in trouble at school for telling a rude joke during lunch.
- The comedian was known for his rude humor, which frequently pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable for television.

Teaching tip: In British English, 'rude' is the standard way to describe 'dirty' jokes or adult content without being overly clinical.

### 3. roughly made

adjective · CEFR B2

made in a simple or rough way, without much skill or detail.

For teachers: roughly or crudely constructed; lacking refinement or sophisticated workmanship.

- The hikers built a rude shelter out of branches to stay dry during the storm.
- The archaeologists discovered a rude stone altar that appeared to predate the more ornate temple structures nearby.

### 4. vigorous health

adjective · CEFR C1 · British English

used in the phrase 'rude health' to mean very strong and healthy.

For teachers: vigorous, robust, or hearty; almost exclusively found in the fixed collocation 'rude health'.

- Despite being over eighty years old, he is still in rude health.
- The company's balance sheet appeared to be in rude health, suggesting it could easily weather a temporary downturn in the market.

Usage: Almost always used as part of the phrase 'in rude health'.

Teaching tip: This is a high-level idiomatic use. It does not mean the person is impolite; it means they look exceptionally fit.

### 5. cool or impressive

adjective · CEFR C2 · Slang · British English · Dialect

used by young people to mean something is very good, cool, or impressive.

For teachers: denoting excellence, coolness, or high status within specific urban subcultures.

- That new car he bought is actually well rude.
- The track features a rude bassline that immediately became a favorite in the underground club scene.

Teaching tip: This is specific to Multicultural London English (MLE). Outside of this specific dialect, 'rude' remains a negative word.

## Examples

- It is rude to talk while you are eating.
- The waiter was so rude to us that we decided not to leave a tip.
- While some found his bluntness refreshing, most colleagues considered his habit of interrupting meetings to be incredibly rude and unprofessional.

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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.