dud

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   informal: a thing, person, or event that is defective, worthless, or unsuccessful

   The expensive new gadget proved to be a dud after only one day.

2. 2
   adj

   informal: defective, invalid, or unlikely to work or be accepted

   The cashier rejected the dud cheque at once.

3. 3
   noun

   a bomb, shell, firework, or other explosive device that fails to detonate

   The disposal team removed the dud from the field.

From Middle English dudde, 'coarse cloth, cloak, or ragged garment.' Duds later meant clothes, especially shabby ones, and dud developed from 'worthless article' to a failed explosive, unsuccessful person or event, and defective or invalid object.

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