noun

prude

PROOD/pruːd/

A person considered excessively modest or easily shocked by sexual matters.

The onlooker seems a prude for objecting to the couple's ordinary kiss.

A disapproving onlooker objects to an ordinary fully clothed couple sharing a brief kiss.

Etymology

prudeFrenchexcessively prim or demure woman

French prude already criticized excessive modesty. It may derive either from a term for a discreet, modest woman or from an adjective praising goodness and virtue—turning approval into criticism of excessive restraint.

In context

Dionna's Days14:53

I just thought she was a whore slut and you need to wipe everything down. But now she's a pick me prude Pick one, baby You get one. You don't get both.

Watching Broken Enemies Attract on Candyjar- Movie Reactions & Commentary

More examples

I'm no prude, but that movie has too many sex scenes.
Being uncomfortable discussing sex does not automatically make someone a prude.
The comedy pokes fun at prudes who panic over nudity.

Forms

prude · prudes

prudish adjective — Excessively modest or shocked by sexual matters.

prudery noun — Excessive modesty or disapproval concerning sexual matters.

Similar words

puritan: Emphasizes strict moral standards and rejection of pleasure generally.
prig: Emphasizes self-righteous correctness rather than discomfort with sexual matters.