What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Demure vs Prudish - What's the difference?

demure | prudish |

As adjectives the difference between demure and prudish

is that demure is quiet, modest, reserved, sober, or serious while prudish is of excessive propriety; easily offended or shocked, especially by sexual matters.

As a verb demure

is (obsolete) to look demurely.

demure

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Quiet, modest, reserved, sober, or serious.
  • She is a demure young lady.
  • * W. Black
  • Nan was very much delighted in her demure way, and that delight showed itself in her face and in her clear bright eyes.
  • * '>citation
  • Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of gravity.
  • * L'Estrange
  • A cat lay, and looked so demure , as if there had been neither life nor soul in her.
  • * Miss Mitford
  • Miss Lizzy, I have no doubt, would be as demure and coquettish, as if ten winters more had gone over her head.

    Derived terms

    * demureness

    Verb

    (demur)
  • (obsolete) To look demurely.
  • Your wife Octavia, with her modest eyes... shall acquire no Honour Demuring upon me.'' – Shakespeare (1623) ''Antony & Cleopatra Act 4, Sc 16, Ln 30

    prudish

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • of excessive propriety; easily offended or shocked, especially by sexual matters
  • See also

    * straight-laced * prim * priggish * prissy * puritanical