Dud has 5 different meanings across 2 categories:
Noun
· Adjective
Noun
1
someone who is unsuccessful
2
an explosion that fails to occur
3
an event that fails badly or is totally ineffectual
"the first experiment was a real turkey"
"the meeting was a dud as far as new business was concerned"
4
A device or machine that is useless because it does not work properly or has failed to work, such as a bomb, or explosive projectile.
Adjective
1
failing to detonate; especially not charged with an active explosive
"he stepped on a dud mine"
Example Sentences
"the first experiment was a real turkey"
noun
"the meeting was a dud as far as new business was concerned"
noun
"he stepped on a dud mine"
adjective
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
Origin
The word "dud" comes from Middle English dudde, which originally meant a cloak, mantle, or ragged piece of cloth. It is likely related to Old Norse words for swaddling clothes and possibly connected to the idea of shaking or trembling.