dud

[duhd]

noun

1. Informal.,  a device, person, or enterprise that proves to be a failure.

   Synonyms: flop, bomb, fizzle, debacle, fiasco

2. a shell or missile that fails to explode after being fired.

dud

/ dʌd /

noun

1. a person or thing that proves ineffectual or a failure

2. a shell, etc, that fails to explode

3. old-fashioned,  (plural) clothes or other personal belongings

adjective

1. failing in its purpose or function

   a dud cheque

Word History and Origins

Origin of dud¹

1815–25; special use of dud, singular of duds

Word History and Origins

Origin of dud¹

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

Example Sentences

They are intended to explode on impact but a significant proportion are "duds", meaning they do not explode initially.

From BBC

Or at least a dud in our own kitchen.

From Salon

The latter part of that post referred to the team’s second set of alternate duds: the Super Chargers uniforms.

From Los Angeles Times

They will not help if the candidate using them is an uncharismatic dud, with unpopular policies.

From BBC

On Tuesday, Conservative Congressman Andy Ogles went as far as to file an amendment that would completely replace the Senate version of the bill, which he called a "dud", with the original House-approved one.

From BBC

Related Words

• debacle 
• flop