Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - rude

(ruder, rudest) 1. When people are rude, they act in an impolite way towards other people or say impolite things about them. He’s rude to her friends and obsessively jealous... ? polite ADJ: oft ADJ to/about n • rudely I could not understand why she felt compelled to behave so rudely to a friend. ADV: usu ADV with v • rudeness She was angry at Steve’s rudeness, but I could forgive it. N-UNCOUNT: oft with poss 2. Rude is used to describe words and behaviour that are likely to embarrass or offend people, because they relate to sex or to body functions. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use dirty) Fred keeps cracking rude jokes with the guests... = obscene ADJ: usu ADJ n 3. If someone receives a rude shock, something unpleasant happens unexpectedly. It will come as a rude shock when their salary or income-tax refund cannot be cashed. ADJ: ADJ n • rudely People were awakened rudely by a siren just outside their window. ADV: ADV with v 4. rude awakening: see awakening