Words / A2

ROOD/ruːd/

Rude means not polite: a rude comment, it is rude to, don’t be rude. Polite is the opposite. Impolite is a close cousin. Rough can mean not gentle, not the same as rude. Do not write rood (old spelling) or crude (B2, vulgar or basic) unless you mean those.

Meaning

Not polite; likely to upset people.

Examples

• “It is rude to talk while someone else is speaking.”
• “It is rude to push in at the front of the queue.”
• “She apologised for the rude email.”

Good to know

it is rude to / don’t be rude. Opposite: polite. Cousin: impolite. Mix-up: rough.

Near in meaning

impolite

New