Prudish: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'prudish' when describing someone who is excessively proper or modest, especially about sexual matters. It often has a negative connotation and suggests an overreaction to normal behavior.

• She refused to watch the movie because she found it too explicit, earning her a reputation for being prudish.
• His prudish comments about the dress code made him unpopular among his peers.

Use 'puritanical' to describe someone who has very strict or severe moral beliefs, often related to social or sexual conduct. It has a negative tone, implying that the person's standards are excessively rigid.

• Her puritanical views on relationships made it difficult for her to connect with her more open-minded friends.
• The school's puritanical dress code sparked a lot of controversy among the students.

Use 'uptight' to describe someone who is overly concerned with propriety, or who is unable to relax and let go. This term often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the person is unnecessarily tense or anxious.

• Stop being so uptight and just enjoy the party!
• She's so uptight about everything that it's hard to have a casual conversation with her.

'Straight-laced' refers to someone who is very rigid in their views and behavior, adhering strictly to traditional or conventional values. It can be used both in negative and neutral contexts.

• He was known for his straight-laced attitude, always following the rules to the letter.
• Her straight-laced upbringing made her cautious about taking risks.

Used to describe someone who is excessively concerned with modesty or propriety, especially in a way that seems old-fashioned or overly strict. This term can often have a negative connotation.

• She's so prudish, she won't even talk about relationships in public.
• His prudish attitude made him uncomfortable during the art exhibit featuring nude paintings.

Often used to describe someone who is very formal, proper and neat, possibly to the point of being overly stiff or fussy.

• She always dresses in a very prim manner, with every detail perfectly in place.
• His prim behavior was evident when he corrected everyone's table manners at the dinner party.

Used to describe someone who is excessively proper or easily offended by things that are not seen as proper or polite. This word often carries a sense of being overly fussy or delicate.

• Don't be so prissy, it's just a little dirt.
• Her prissy attitude made it hard for her to enjoy outdoor activities.

Often refers to someone who is very conservative, formal, and not open to new ideas or ways of doing things. It can also describe places that are uncomfortably closed or lack ventilation.

• The lecture was so stuffy that several people fell asleep.
• He was too stuffy to appreciate the modern art exhibit.