Standard Lemma guide

fuddy-duddy

adj · noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈfʌdiˌdʌdi/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ʌdi

1

adj

Meaning 1

Old-fashioned and persnickety or ineffective.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An old-fashioned, persnickety or ineffective person.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, informal

Examples

  • My grandma is a fuddy-duddy when it comes to keeping her house clean.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

a conservative who is old-fashioned or dull in attitude or appearance

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • you may accuse me of being and old fuddy-duddy trying to stop young people having fun

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: conservative, conservativist

History

Etymology

Unknown. First attested in the US circa 1900.