English Dictionary

Definition of “dud

dud (dʌdPronunciation for dudinformal 

Definitions

noun

  1. a person or thing that proves ineffectual or a failure
  2. a shell, etc, that fails to explode
  3. (plural) old-fashioned clothes or other personal belongings

adjective

  1. failing in its purpose or function  ⇒ a dud cheque 

Word Origin

C15 (in the sense: an article of clothing, a thing, used disparagingly): of unknown origin

Usage examples

  • He'd have a second dud product on the wholesalers" shelves and a massive bill for promotion.
    Pacter, Trudi, Yellow Bird (1993)
  • If people still invest in dud stocks, they are themselves to be blamed.
    Business Today (1999)
  • He says: ``If results were published to allow for academic comparisons, dud schools and dud teachers might be shown up.
    Courier, Sunday Mail (2004)
  • The report was little comfort to A-level students who have failed to clinch university places because of the dud marks.
    Sun, News of the World (2002)
  • And Gerald - as a barrister and a skilled pianist - prided himself on spotting dud notes.
    Alexandra Connor, THE TURN OF THE TIDE (2004)

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