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B1 Noun (plural) #14 よく出る 12分で読める

duds

上位14

練習する例文メモとヒント duds 30秒で

解説 duds in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should know that 'duds' is a very informal word for clothes. It is like saying 'clothes' but in a more friendly or funny way. You usually use it with words like 'my', 'your', or 'his'. For example, 'my duds' means 'my clothes'. It is important to remember that 'duds' is always plural when we talk about clothes. You cannot have one 'dud' of clothing. You might hear this in cartoons or simple stories. Another meaning is when something does not work. If you have a toy that is broken and never worked, you can call it a 'dud'. But for now, just focus on the 'clothes' meaning. It is a fun word to use with friends, but do not use it in school tests or when talking to your teacher. Just remember: duds = clothes. It is a simple way to make your English sound more natural when you are talking about what you are wearing. You can say 'I like your duds!' to a friend if they have a nice new shirt. It is a nice, casual word for beginners to learn because it is short and easy to say. Just make sure you don't confuse it with 'dudes', which means people!

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'duds' to describe specific types of clothing. You might say 'gym duds' for the clothes you wear to exercise, or 'work duds' for your office clothes. This word is plural, so you must use 'are' with it, like 'My duds are dirty'. You should also learn the second meaning: a 'dud' is something that fails. If you buy a battery and it doesn't work, that battery is a 'dud'. This is a very common way to describe things that are disappointing because they are broken. You will often see this in product reviews online. For example, 'I bought this phone, but it was a dud.' This means the phone was broken from the start. It is a useful word because it is shorter than saying 'defective product'. Remember the difference in pronunciation between 'duds' (short 'u' like 'up') and 'dudes' (long 'u' like 'blue'). If you say 'I like those dudes,' you are talking about people. If you say 'I like those duds,' you are talking about clothes. Being able to use 'duds' in both ways shows you are moving beyond basic vocabulary and starting to understand how English speakers use slang and informal terms in their daily lives.

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As a B1 learner, you should understand that 'duds' is a colloquialism that carries a specific tone. When referring to clothing, it often has a slightly humorous or rustic feel. It is not just any clothes; it is often a 'set' of clothes for a particular activity. For example, 'I need to get my hiking duds ready' implies a specific preparation. In the sense of a 'failure', a 'dud' is a noun used to describe an object that is completely non-functional. This is very common when talking about electronics, fireworks, or even ideas. If a plan doesn't work out at all, you might say 'The plan was a dud'. This level of English requires you to be aware of 'register'—the level of formality. 'Duds' is low-register. You would use it with friends or family, but you would avoid it in a formal essay or a business meeting. You should also be aware of common collocations like 'a total dud' or 'fancy duds'. Understanding the historical context—that it comes from an old word for a heavy cloak—can help you remember the 'clothing' meaning. The 'failure' meaning likely comes from the idea of something being as useless as a pile of old rags. This dual meaning is a great example of how English words can shift over time, and mastering it helps you sound more like a native speaker.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'duds' in a variety of idiomatic ways. You should recognize that while 'duds' for clothing is somewhat old-fashioned or regional, it is still widely understood and used for stylistic effect. For example, a writer might use 'duds' to give a character a specific 'voice'—perhaps someone from a rural area or someone who is intentionally using 'retro' slang. More importantly, you should master the 'failure' sense of the word in metaphorical contexts. It isn't just for broken lightbulbs; it can describe a movie that failed at the box office ('The blockbuster turned out to be a dud'), a person who failed to meet expectations in a job, or a social event that was boring. You should also be able to distinguish 'dud' from similar terms like 'lemon' (used for cars) or 'flop' (used for creative works). A B2 learner should also be aware of the safety implications of the word in contexts like unexploded ordnance (UXO), where 'dud shells' refer to dangerous, unexploded bombs. This shows a deep understanding of how a single word can span from lighthearted fashion to life-threatening military history. You should also be careful with the pluralization: 'duds' is the clothes, but 'a dud' is the failure. Getting this right is a sign of high-level grammatical control.

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For C1 learners, 'duds' is a word that demonstrates an understanding of English nuance and social coding. You should be able to use it to achieve a specific rhetorical effect. For instance, using 'duds' instead of 'clothes' in a blog post about fashion can create a sense of irony or playfulness. You should also be aware of the word's etymological journey from the Middle English 'dudde' (a coarse garment) to its 19th-century application to failed explosives. This historical depth explains why the word feels 'heavy' or 'solid' in a way that 'threads' does not. In the 'failure' sense, you should be able to use 'dud' to describe complex abstract failures, such as a 'dud' of a political policy or a 'dud' of a scientific theory. You should also understand the social risk of calling a person a 'dud'; it is a powerful pejorative that implies a fundamental lack of worth or capability. At this level, you should also be familiar with the word's appearance in literature and classic cinema, where it often serves to ground a character in a specific social class or era. Your ability to navigate these different layers of meaning—from the literal failed firework to the metaphorical failed career—without confusing it with phonetically similar words like 'dudes' or 'studs' is a hallmark of near-native proficiency. You are not just learning the word; you are learning the cultural baggage and stylistic potential it carries.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'duds' should be complete, encompassing its most obscure uses and its subtle sociolinguistic implications. You should understand how the word functions within different dialects of English—for instance, its continued prevalence in certain American Southern or Western dialects versus its more ironic use in British English. You should be able to analyze the word's role in the 'lexicon of failure', comparing it to terms like 'non-event', 'fiasco', or 'debacle', and choosing 'dud' when you want to emphasize a lack of 'spark' or 'energy'. In the 'clothing' sense, you might explore how 'duds' has been reclaimed in certain subcultures to describe vintage or thrifted fashion, adding a layer of 'cool' to a word that was once considered old-fashioned. You should also be aware of the word's technical history, such as its use in the military to describe 'dud' ammunition, and how this has influenced modern metaphors about 'misfiring' or 'failing to launch'. A C2 speaker can use 'duds' with such precision that it feels perfectly placed, whether they are describing a disappointing tech startup or a friend's eccentric party outfit. You understand that the word's power lies in its informality and its ability to bridge the gap between the mundane (clothes) and the catastrophic (unexploded bombs). Your usage should reflect a total command of tone, ensuring that the word's inherent 'roughness' is used to enhance, rather than detract from, your overall communication.

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練習する例文メモとヒント

duds 30秒で

Duds is an informal word for clothes, often used to describe a specific set of garments for an activity like hiking or working.
A 'dud' is also something that fails to work, such as a broken battery, a non-exploding firework, or a disappointing movie.
The word is casual and should be avoided in formal writing, but it is very common in everyday speech and pop culture.
Be careful not to confuse 'duds' (clothes/failures) with 'dudes' (people), as they have different pronunciations and meanings.

The word duds is a fascinating example of English linguistic evolution, carrying two primary meanings that seem disparate but share a common thread of informality. In its most common everyday usage, especially in casual conversation, duds refers to clothing or garments. It is the kind of word you might use when you are talking about changing out of your work clothes into something more comfortable, or when you are admiring someone's particularly stylish outfit. However, the word takes on a completely different character when applied to objects or even people. In this second context, a dud is something that fails to work as expected, lacks the necessary quality to function, or is a complete disappointment. Think of a firework that fizzles out without a bang, a battery that has no charge, or a movie that was hyped up but turned out to be boring. In both cases, the word remains firmly in the realm of informal English, making it a versatile tool for social interactions but a poor choice for academic or professional writing.

Informal Clothing: When used to mean clothes, it often implies a specific set of garments for a specific purpose, such as 'hiking duds' or 'fancy duds'.

I need to head home and change into my gym duds before we hit the trail.

The Failure Aspect: In the singular form, a 'dud' is a person or thing that proves to be a failure or useless. This is frequently used for mechanical items or explosive devices.

We bought a whole box of firecrackers, but half of them were duds that never went off.

Historically, the term for clothing dates back to Middle English, where 'dudde' referred to a coarse cloak or blanket. Over centuries, it evolved into a general term for clothes, often with a slightly humorous or self-deprecating tone. The 'failure' meaning emerged much later, likely in the 19th century, possibly influenced by the idea of 'duds' being old, worn-out rags that are no longer useful. This transition from 'old clothes' to 'useless thing' is a common path in English slang. Today, you will hear it in movies, casual blogs, and among friends. It carries a certain vintage charm when referring to clothes, but a sharp, critical edge when referring to a failure. Understanding which meaning is intended requires looking closely at the context: are we talking about what someone is wearing, or are we talking about how something performed?

He looked quite sharp in his new Sunday duds.

Register and Tone: The word is highly informal. You would not use it in a legal document or a formal business report unless you were quoting someone or being intentionally playful.

The new software update turned out to be a total dud, crashing everyone's computers.

Don't forget to pack your swimming duds for the beach trip.

Using duds correctly involves recognizing its grammatical flexibility and its informal nature. When you are using it to mean clothes, it is always plural. You cannot say 'a dud' to mean one shirt; you would say 'my duds' to mean your entire outfit or a collection of clothes. This usage is often accompanied by an adjective that specifies the type of clothing. For example, 'riding duds' for equestrian gear or 'party duds' for festive attire. It adds a layer of personality to your speech, making you sound more like a native speaker who is comfortable with colloquialisms. On the other hand, when you use it to mean a failure, it can be singular ('a dud') or plural ('some duds'). In this sense, it often functions as a noun complement after the verb 'to be', as in 'The movie was a dud'.

Clothing Contexts: Use it when talking about changing clothes, packing for a trip, or describing someone's style in a relaxed way.

I've got my best duds on for the wedding tonight.

Failure Contexts: Use it to describe products that don't work, plans that fail, or even people who don't live up to expectations (though be careful, as this is quite insulting).

That expensive new blender I bought turned out to be a complete dud.

In more complex sentence structures, duds can be the subject or the object. For instance, 'My duds are in the wash' (subject) or 'She threw her old duds in the bin' (object). When referring to failures, it often appears in the phrase 'a bit of a dud' to soften the criticism, or 'a total dud' to emphasize the failure. It is also common in technical or hobbyist circles, such as among ammunition collectors or firework enthusiasts, where identifying 'duds' is a matter of safety. In these contexts, the word is used with high frequency and precision. Interestingly, the word is rarely used in the possessive form ('the dud's color' sounds very strange); instead, we use prepositional phrases like 'the color of the duds'.

The detective searched the suspect's room and found a pile of bloody duds in the corner.

Common Adjective Pairings: Commonly paired with: best, old, work, winter, fancy, total, complete, absolute.

After three duds in a row, the director finally made a hit movie.

She put on her finest duds for the gala, hoping to make a great impression.

You are most likely to encounter the word duds in informal settings, pop culture, and specific hobbyist communities. In movies and television, particularly those set in the American West or rural areas, characters often refer to their 'trail duds' or 'fancy duds'. This gives the word a slightly nostalgic or rugged feel. In modern urban slang, while 'threads' or 'gear' might be more common, 'duds' is still used by people who enjoy a bit of vintage flair in their vocabulary. You will also hear it in the context of consumer reviews. If a tech YouTuber tests a batch of cheap headphones and several don't work, they might refer to them as 'duds'. This usage is very common in product testing, manufacturing, and quality control discussions, albeit in a non-formal way.

Pop Culture: Used in cartoons, sitcoms, and movies to add a touch of informal character to dialogue.

In the movie, the cowboy complained about his dusty duds after a long ride.

Product Reviews: Commonly used by reviewers to describe items that arrived broken or failed quickly.

I ordered ten lightbulbs, but two of them were duds right out of the box.

Another place you'll hear it is during holiday celebrations, specifically those involving fireworks like the Fourth of July in the US or Guy Fawkes Night in the UK. When a firework is lit but fails to explode, it is universally called a 'dud'. This is a critical term for safety, as 'duds' can sometimes be delayed-action explosives that are dangerous to approach. In a metaphorical sense, sports commentators might use the word to describe a player who was expected to perform well but had a terrible game, or a highly anticipated match that turned out to be boring. 'The championship game was a bit of a dud,' they might say. This breadth of usage—from the physical reality of a broken lightbulb to the abstract disappointment of a sporting event—makes it a very useful word to have in your repertoire.

The rocket sat on the launchpad, a million-dollar dud that refused to ignite.

Military and History: Historians discussing World War I or II often mention 'dud shells'—artillery rounds that failed to explode on impact.

Farmers in France still occasionally dig up duds from the Great War in their fields.

He showed up to the party in his most ridiculous duds, wearing a neon tuxedo.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with duds is confusing it with the word 'dudes'. While they look similar, they are pronounced differently and have completely different meanings. 'Dudes' (rhymes with 'moods') is an informal way to refer to men or people in general. 'Duds' (rhymes with 'muds') refers to clothes or failures. Mixing these up can lead to some very confusing sentences, such as 'I need to change my dudes,' which sounds like you are trying to swap your friends for new ones! Another common error is using 'duds' in a formal context. If you are writing a cover letter for a job, you should never say you will 'wear your best duds' to the interview. Instead, use 'professional attire' or 'business clothing'. The word 'duds' is too casual and might make you seem unprofessional.

The Singular/Plural Trap: Remember: 'duds' for clothes is always plural. 'Dud' for failure can be singular. Don't say 'I bought a new dud' if you mean a new shirt.

Incorrect: I need to buy a new dud for the party. (Correct: I need some new duds for the party.)

Spelling and Pronunciation: Avoid the 'e'. 'Dudes' has an 'e' and a long 'u'. 'Duds' has no 'e' and a short 'u'.

Incorrect: Those dudes don't work. (Correct: Those duds don't work—referring to batteries.)

Learners also sometimes struggle with the 'failure' meaning when applied to people. While calling an object a 'dud' is common and relatively harmless, calling a person a 'dud' is quite harsh. It implies they are useless or a total failure in their role. Use this carefully, as it can be very offensive. Additionally, don't confuse 'duds' with 'studs'. 'Studs' can refer to decorative metal buttons, a type of earring, or a person (usually a man) who is considered very attractive or successful. Saying 'He's a real dud' is the exact opposite of saying 'He's a real stud'. One is an insult, the other is a compliment. Finally, ensure you don't use 'duds' as a verb. You cannot 'dud' something. You can 'fail' at something, or something can 'be a dud', but 'dud' itself remains a noun in modern English.

The date was a total dud; they had nothing to talk about.

Overuse: Because it is a slangy term, using it too often in a single conversation can sound forced or unnatural. Use it sparingly for effect.

He packed his hiking duds and set off for the mountains.

The firework was a dud, so we had to wait ten minutes before approaching it.

Depending on which meaning of duds you are using, there are many alternatives that can help you vary your vocabulary. If you are talking about clothes, synonyms range from formal to very informal. 'Attire', 'garments', and 'apparel' are formal. 'Clothes' and 'outfit' are neutral. 'Threads', 'gear', and 'get-up' are informal like 'duds'. 'Threads' is particularly popular in urban slang, while 'gear' is often used for specialized clothing like sports equipment. 'Get-up' usually refers to a complete, often unusual or elaborate, outfit. Choosing the right one depends on the situation. If you're talking to a fashion designer, use 'apparel'. If you're talking to a friend about their cool new jacket, 'threads' or 'duds' works perfectly.

Clothing Comparisons: Duds: Informal, slightly old-fashioned. Threads: Informal, modern, cool. Attire: Formal, professional. Garms: British slang, very informal.

I like your new threads; where did you get that jacket?

Failure Comparisons: Dud: Informal, implies complete lack of function. Flop: Usually refers to a creative failure (movie, play). Lemon: Specifically refers to a defective car. Washout: Refers to a person or event that was a total failure.

The movie was a total flop at the box office.

When using 'dud' to mean a failure, consider the intensity of the failure. A 'flop' is often used for entertainment that fails to make money. A 'lemon' is almost exclusively used for a car that has many hidden problems. A 'washout' is a person who fails at everything they try. 'Dud' is the most general and can apply to almost anything—from a lightbulb to a business deal. In a more formal setting, you might use 'failure', 'malfunction', or 'defective item'. For example, 'The product was defective' sounds much more professional than 'The product was a dud'. Understanding these nuances allows you to tailor your language to your audience, ensuring you are neither too formal for a casual chat nor too informal for a professional meeting.

He sold me a lemon; the engine died two days after I bought the car.

Formal Alternatives: Instead of 'duds' (clothes), use: apparel, attire, clothing. Instead of 'dud' (failure), use: failure, defective product, non-starter.

The rocket launch was a failure due to a technical malfunction.

She arrived in her finest attire for the award ceremony.

How Formal Is It?

フォーマル

"The explosive device failed to detonate upon impact."

ニュートラル

"The battery did not work when I put it in the remote."

カジュアル

"The new phone I bought is a total dud."

Child friendly

"Put on your play clothes so we can go to the park!"

スラング

"Check out my new threads for the party."

豆知識

The 'failure' meaning of 'dud' didn't appear until the 19th century. It is thought to have come from the idea of 'duds' being old, useless rags. During World War I, it became a common military term for shells that failed to explode.

発音ガイド

UK /dʌdz/

US /dʌdz/

The word is a single syllable, so the stress is on the entire word.

韻が合う語

buds muds floods studs spuds thuds suds bloods

よくある間違い

Pronouncing it like 'dudes' (/duːdz/) with a long 'u' sound.
Pronouncing the 's' as a sharp 's' instead of a voiced 'z' sound.
Confusing the short 'u' with an 'o' sound like in 'dogs'.
Adding an extra syllable at the end.
Failing to voice the 'd' at the beginning clearly.

難易度

読解 3/5

Easy to recognize in context, but the dual meaning can be tricky.

ライティング 4/5

Requires knowledge of register to avoid being too informal.

スピーキング 3/5

Simple pronunciation, but must distinguish from 'dudes'.

リスニング 4/5

Can be confused with 'dudes' or 'studs' in fast speech.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

clothes failure broken outfit battery

次に学ぶ

attire apparel defective malfunction colloquialism

上級

unexploded ordnance plural tantum metonymy etymological shift lexical register

知っておくべき文法

Plural Tantum

Duds (clothes) has no singular form. You cannot say 'a dud' to mean one piece of clothing.

Subject-Verb Agreement

My duds ARE (not is) in the laundry.

Countable vs. Uncountable

Dud (failure) is countable: 'I have two duds.' Duds (clothes) is plural and treated as a group.

Adjective Placement

Adjectives come before 'duds': 'fancy duds', 'total dud'.

Don't mix formal 'apparel' and informal 'duds' in the same sentence unless for effect.

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レベル別の例文

I like your new duds!

I like your new clothes!

Duds is plural here.

Put on your play duds.

Put on your play clothes.

Compound noun: play duds.

My duds are in the bag.

My clothes are in the bag.

Uses 'are' because duds is plural.

Where are your duds?

Where are your clothes?

Question form with 'are'.

These duds are very old.

These clothes are very old.

Demonstrative 'these' matches plural 'duds'.

He has cool duds.

He has cool clothes.

Simple subject-verb-object.

I need new duds for school.

I need new clothes for school.

Purpose phrase: 'for school'.

She changed her duds.

She changed her clothes.

Past tense verb 'changed'.

I bought a battery, but it was a dud.

I bought a battery, but it didn't work.

Singular 'a dud' means a failure.

Don't forget your swimming duds for the pool.

Don't forget your swimsuit.

Specific type: swimming duds.

The firework was a dud and didn't go off.

The firework didn't explode.

Singular 'a dud'.

He wore his best duds to the party.

He wore his best clothes to the party.

Superlative 'best' modifying duds.

Is that lightbulb a dud?

Is that lightbulb broken?

Question with singular 'a dud'.

I need to wash my gym duds.

I need to wash my exercise clothes.

Specific type: gym duds.

The new toy was a total dud.

The new toy was a complete disappointment.

Emphasis with 'total'.

She packed her winter duds for the trip.

She packed her winter clothes.

Specific type: winter duds.

He showed up in his Sunday duds, looking very sharp.

He arrived in his best clothes.

Idiomatic: 'Sunday duds'.

The movie was a bit of a dud, to be honest.

The movie was quite disappointing.

Softening the criticism with 'a bit of a'.

I've got a drawer full of old duds I never wear.

I have many old clothes I don't use.

Phrase: 'drawer full of'.

We thought the idea was great, but it turned out to be a dud.

The idea failed in reality.

Phrasal verb: 'turned out to be'.

You can't go hiking in those duds; you need boots.

You can't hike in those clothes.

Contrast between 'duds' and 'boots'.

The match was a dud because of the rain.

The game was a failure/disappointment.

Causal phrase: 'because of'.

She threw her work duds in the hamper and took a shower.

She put her work clothes in the laundry.

Action sequence.

Half the seeds I planted were duds and never grew.

Half the seeds were defective.

Plural 'duds' for multiple failures.

The highly anticipated sequel proved to be a total dud at the box office.

The movie sequel failed completely to make money.

Formal verb 'proved' with informal 'dud'.

He donned his finest duds for the gala, hoping to impress the investors.

He put on his best clothes for the formal event.

Formal verb 'donned' creates a stylistic contrast.

The detective found a pile of blood-stained duds in the suspect's basement.

The detective found bloody clothes.

Compound adjective: 'blood-stained'.

After three duds in a row, the company finally launched a successful product.

After three failed products, they had a success.

Temporal phrase: 'in a row'.

Don't approach that firework; it might be a dud with a slow fuse.

The firework might still explode later.

Modal 'might' expressing possibility.

She felt like a bit of a dud after failing her driving test for the third time.

She felt like a failure.

Metaphorical use for a person.

The explorer packed his most durable duds for the Arctic expedition.

He packed his strongest clothes.

Superlative with 'most durable'.

The new law turned out to be a dud, as it was impossible to enforce.

The law was a failure because it didn't work.

Abstract application to a policy.

The critic dismissed the exhibition as a collection of artistic duds.

The critic said the artworks were all failures.

Collective noun 'collection' with 'duds'.

He shed his corporate duds and embraced a more bohemian lifestyle.

He stopped wearing business clothes and changed his life.

Metonymy: 'corporate duds' represents the lifestyle.

The bomb squad was called in to deal with a dud shell from the Second World War.

They had to handle an unexploded bomb.

Technical military context.

Despite the hype, the tech startup's latest 'innovation' was an absolute dud.

The new product was a complete failure despite the publicity.

Contrast between 'hype' and 'dud'.

She has a knack for picking out stylish duds from the most unlikely thrift stores.

She is good at finding nice clothes in cheap shops.

Idiom: 'has a knack for'.

The peace treaty proved to be a dud, as fighting resumed within weeks.

The treaty failed to maintain peace.

Political metaphor.

He was a dud as a leader, unable to inspire even his closest allies.

He was a very poor and ineffective leader.

Predicative noun describing a person's role.

The antique clock was a dud; its internal gears were rusted beyond repair.

The clock was useless and broken.

Semicolon connecting related clauses.

The novelist's latest offering was a stylistic dud, lacking the verve of her earlier work.

The new book was a failure in terms of style.

Adjectival modifier 'stylistic'.

In the gritty noir film, the protagonist is often seen in tattered duds that reflect his moral decay.

His torn clothes show his bad character.

Literary analysis context.

The legislative session was largely a dud, with no significant bills passing the floor.

The political meeting was a failure with no results.

Adverbial modifier 'largely'.

He attempted to pass off the counterfeit bills, but they were obvious duds to the trained eye.

The fake money was clearly bad to an expert.

Application to counterfeit currency.

The once-celebrated architect's final project was a functional dud, plagued by structural issues.

The building didn't work properly due to bad construction.

Participle phrase: 'plagued by'.

She navigated the high-society event with ease, despite her humble duds.

She was comfortable even though her clothes were simple.

Concessive clause with 'despite'.

The experiment was a dud, yielding no data that could support the hypothesis.

The experiment failed to produce useful results.

Present participle phrase 'yielding no data'.

The firework display was marred by several duds that sat stubbornly on the ground.

The show was spoiled by fireworks that didn't explode.

Passive voice 'was marred by'.

よく使う組み合わせ

best duds

total dud

gym duds

work duds

absolute dud

Sunday duds

riding duds

dud shell

complete dud

fancy duds

よく使うフレーズ

in one's duds

— Wearing one's clothes, often used to describe a specific look.

He looked quite handsome in his new duds.

turn out to be a dud

— To eventually be revealed as a failure or disappointment.

The much-hyped restaurant turned out to be a dud.

a bit of a dud

— A slightly polite way to say something was disappointing.

The concert was a bit of a dud, unfortunately.

change one's duds

— To change one's clothes.

Give me five minutes to change my duds.

pack one's duds

— To pack one's clothing for a trip.

I need to pack my duds for the weekend away.

old duds

— Worn-out or older clothing.

I only wear these old duds when I'm painting.

winter duds

— Clothing specifically for cold weather.

It's time to pull the winter duds out of storage.

a real dud

— An emphatic way to describe a major failure.

That movie was a real dud; don't waste your money.

duds and all

— Including the clothes one is wearing.

He fell into the pool, duds and all.

fresh duds

— New or clean clothes.

I feel much better now that I'm in some fresh duds.

よく混同される語

duds vs dudes

Dudes refers to people (usually men), while duds refers to clothes or failures. They have different vowel sounds.

duds vs studs

Studs can mean attractive people or metal fasteners. A 'dud' is a failure, which is the opposite of a 'stud' in a social sense.

duds vs buds

Buds are friends or parts of a plant. While it rhymes with duds, the meaning is entirely different.

慣用句と表現

"flash duds"

— Very stylish or expensive clothing, often worn to show off.

He showed up in some flash duds to impress his old friends.

informal

"dud of a [noun]"

— Used to describe something that is a complete failure in its category.

It was a dud of a summer, with rain every single day.

informal

"pick a dud"

— To choose something that turns out to be a failure.

I really picked a dud when I chose this laptop.

informal

"no duds allowed"

— A humorous way to say that only successful or high-quality things/people are welcome.

In this competition, no duds are allowed!

slang

"dud-proof"

— Something that is guaranteed not to fail (not a standard word, but used in slang).

This new system is supposed to be dud-proof.

slang

"dressed in one's best duds"

— Wearing one's finest clothing.

She was dressed in her best duds for the award ceremony.

informal

"a dud in the pack"

— One failure among a group of successful things.

Most of the songs are great, but there's one dud in the pack.

informal

"all duds, no sparks"

— Something that has no excitement or energy.

The new season of the show is all duds and no sparks.

informal

"dud out"

— To fail suddenly or stop working (rarely used, but exists in some dialects).

The engine just dudded out in the middle of the road.

slang

"fine duds"

— Excellent or high-quality clothing.

He's always wearing such fine duds.

informal

間違えやすい

duds vs dudes

Similar spelling and sound.

Dudes (/duːdz/) means people. Duds (/dʌdz/) means clothes or failures. The vowel in 'dudes' is long; in 'duds' it is short.

I saw those dudes wearing cool duds.

duds vs studs

Rhyming words with similar structure.

Studs are fasteners or attractive people. Duds are clothes or failures. They are almost opposites in social slang.

He thinks he's a stud, but his performance was a dud.

duds vs suds

Rhyming words.

Suds are soap bubbles. Duds are clothes. You use suds to wash your duds.

The washing machine was full of suds and my duds.

duds vs thuds

Rhyming words.

A thud is a heavy sound. A dud is a failure. A dud firework might just make a small thud instead of a bang.

The dud firework hit the ground with a thud.

duds vs spuds

Rhyming words.

Spuds is an informal word for potatoes. Duds is an informal word for clothes.

I got dirt on my duds while digging for spuds.

文型パターン

I like your [adjective] duds.

I like your new duds.

The [noun] was a dud.

The battery was a dud.

I need to change into my [activity] duds.

I need to change into my gym duds.

It turned out to be a total dud.

The movie turned out to be a total dud.

Despite the [positive noun], it was an absolute dud.

Despite the hype, it was an absolute dud.

The [noun] was marred by several duds.

The display was marred by several duds.

He arrived in his [adjective] duds.

He arrived in his Sunday duds.

Don't [verb] that [noun]; it's a dud.

Don't touch that firework; it's a dud.

語族

名詞

使い方

frequency

Common in casual spoken English and informal writing (blogs, reviews).

よくある間違い

I am wearing a dud. → I am wearing my duds.
When referring to clothes, 'duds' is always plural. You cannot use the singular 'a dud' for clothing.
Those dudes don't work. → Those duds don't work.
If you are talking about batteries or fireworks, use 'duds'. 'Dudes' refers to people.
He wore his best duds to the interview. → He wore his best suit to the interview.
'Duds' is too informal for a professional context like a job interview.
The firework dudded. → The firework was a dud.
'Dud' is a noun, not a verb. You cannot use it to describe the action of failing.
I like your duds! (to a group of men) → I like your duds! (referring to their clothes) OR I like you dudes!
Be careful with the vowel sound. If you mean the people, say 'dudes'. If you mean their clothes, say 'duds'.

ヒント

Use for specific activities

Pair 'duds' with an activity to sound more natural, like 'hiking duds' or 'swimming duds'. This is a very common way native speakers use the word.

Dud fireworks

If a firework is a dud, never approach it immediately. It might have a 'hangfire', meaning it could still explode after a delay. This is a real-world safety tip!

Singular vs Plural

Remember: 'duds' (plural) = clothes. 'A dud' (singular) = a failure. Getting this right will make your English sound much more advanced.

Avoid in formal settings

Don't use 'duds' in a job interview or a formal email. Stick to 'clothes', 'attire', or 'professional clothing' to ensure you make a good impression.

The short 'U'

Practice the short 'u' sound. It's the same sound as in 'up', 'cup', and 'but'. This is the key to not confusing 'duds' with 'dudes'.

Ironic usage

You can use 'duds' ironically to describe someone's very strange or funny outfit. It adds a bit of humor to your description.

Look for 'a' or 'my'

If you see 'my duds', it's clothes. If you see 'a dud', it's a failure. This simple rule helps you understand the meaning instantly.

Alternative for failure

If 'dud' feels too informal, use 'failure' or 'disappointment'. If it's a broken machine, use 'defective' or 'broken'.

Think of rags

To remember the 'failure' meaning, think of old rags (duds) that are useless. A 'dud' is something as useless as an old rag.

Character building

In a story, having a character use the word 'duds' can tell the reader they are casual, perhaps from a rural area, or a bit old-fashioned.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of 'duds' as 'dirty muds'. If your clothes are covered in mud, they are your dirty duds. If a firework falls in the mud, it becomes a dud and won't light.

視覚的連想

Imagine a person wearing a very oversized, funny-looking suit (duds) holding a firework that just goes 'pffft' (a dud).

Word Web

clothes failure fireworks informal outfit broken slang garments

チャレンジ

Try to use 'duds' twice in one sentence: once to mean clothes and once to mean a failure. Example: 'I wore my best duds to the movie, but the film was a total dud.'

語源

The word 'duds' for clothing originates from the Middle English word 'dudde', which referred to a coarse cloak or a heavy blanket. It appeared in the 14th century. The meaning expanded over time to refer to clothes in general, often with a slightly disparaging or informal tone.

元の意味： A coarse cloak or blanket.

Germanic (via Middle English).

文化的な背景

Calling a person a 'dud' is insulting and implies they are useless. Use with caution.

Common in rural and informal American English; also used in British and Australian English but often considered slightly old-fashioned.

The term 'dud' was famously used in WWI poetry and memoirs to describe the terror of unexploded shells. In the movie 'Toy Story', various toys might be considered 'duds' if they are broken. Western novels by authors like Louis L'Amour often feature characters talking about their 'riding duds'.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

At home

Change my duds
Wash my duds
Old duds for cleaning
Pack my duds

Shopping/Reviews

This product is a dud
Got a dud in the mail
Total dud of a purchase
Return the dud

Sports/Entertainment

The game was a dud
A dud of a movie
He's a bit of a dud
The season was a dud

Holidays/Fireworks

Watch out for duds
That one was a dud
Don't touch the duds
A pile of duds

Work/Professional

Work duds
The project was a dud
A dud of an idea
Change into office duds

会話のきっかけ

"What do you do when you buy something and it turns out to be a total dud?"

"Do you have a favorite set of 'lazy duds' for wearing around the house?"

"Have you ever seen a firework that was a dud? Was it disappointing?"

"If you had to pick your 'best duds' for a fancy party, what would you wear?"

"Do you think it's okay to call a movie a 'dud' even if some people liked it?"

日記のテーマ

Describe a time you bought a product that was a total dud. How did you feel and what did you do?

Write about your favorite 'adventure duds'. Where have you worn them and why are they special?

Reflect on a project or idea you had that turned out to be a dud. What did you learn from the failure?

If you were a fashion designer, how would you describe your 'signature duds' to the world?

Think about a person you initially thought was a 'dud' but who later surprised you with their success.

よくある質問

10 問

Yes, you can, but it is quite informal and can be offensive. It implies the person is a failure or useless in a specific role. For example, 'He was a dud as a manager' means he was very bad at his job. Use it carefully.

No, it can be used for any clothes. While it sometimes has a slightly old-fashioned or humorous feel, you can use it for 'new duds', 'fancy duds', or 'gym duds'. It just means garments in an informal way.

A 'dud' is a general term for any failure, especially a mechanical one like a battery. A 'flop' is specifically used for creative or commercial failures, like a movie that doesn't make money or a play that gets bad reviews.

Yes, it is understood and used in the UK, although words like 'clobber' or 'gear' are also very common informal alternatives for clothes. The 'failure' meaning of 'dud' is universally used across all English dialects.

It refers to an artillery shell or bomb that fails to explode on impact. The term likely comes from the 19th-century meaning of 'dud' as something useless or a failure.

No. When referring to clothing, 'duds' is always plural. You cannot say 'I am wearing a dud' to mean one piece of clothing. You would say 'I am wearing my duds' or 'I am wearing a shirt'.

Yes, it is considered informal or colloquial. It is not quite as 'edgy' as some modern slang, but it is definitely not formal English. It's safe for casual conversation but not for business reports.

This is an old-fashioned idiom meaning one's best clothes, typically worn to church on Sundays. Even if you don't go to church, you can use it to mean your finest attire.

No, 'dud' is almost exclusively used as a noun. You wouldn't say 'The firework dudded'. You would say 'The firework was a dud'.

No. 'Duds' rhymes with 'muds' or 'buds'. 'Dudes' rhymes with 'foods' or 'moods'. This is a very important distinction for clear speaking.

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