bud

bud — noun

1. a small unopened part on a plant that can later grow into a leaf, flower, or new

1.nounB2
Definition

a small unopened part on a plant that can later grow into a leaf, flower, or new stem

Example

The rose bud opened two days after the warm rain.

collocation: rose bud

A green bud appeared on the cherry tree in March.

Common collocations
  • rose bud
  • flower bud
  • leaf bud
  • open into a flower
Synonyms
  • shoot

    A shoot is a new stem or growth, not specifically an unopened one.

  • sprout

    A sprout is the first growth from a seed or plant, often earlier than a bud.

  • blossom

    A blossom is a flower at or after opening, so it is a later stage.

Antonyms
  • blossom

    A blossom is open, while a bud has not opened yet.

Grammar Patterns

a bud on a plant

flower bud

Usage Note

Often used with plant words such as rose, leaf, or flower. Distinguish from noun sense 2, which names the stage when a plant has buds rather than the small growth itself.

2. the stage when a plant has formed buds but its flowers or leaves have not opened

2.nounC1
Definition

the stage when a plant has formed buds but its flowers or leaves have not opened yet

Example

By April, the apple trees were already in bud.

fixed phrase: in bud

Most of the roses stayed in bud during the cold week.

Common collocations
  • be in bud
  • come into bud
  • stay in bud
Synonyms
  • pre-bloom stage

    This is more technical and less common in everyday English.

  • flowering stage

    This is broader and can include a later point when flowers are open.

Antonyms
  • in bloom

    In bloom describes the later stage when flowers have opened.

Grammar Patterns

be in bud

come into bud

Usage Note

Usually follows be in the fixed phrase 'in bud', and sometimes follows come. Distinguish from noun sense 1, which refers to one bud rather than the whole stage of growth.

Common Mistakes

The apple trees were in buds.
The apple trees were in bud.
The fixed phrase uses singular 'bud'.

3. a casual word for a man, especially when you speak to him without using his name

3.nounB2
Definition

a casual word for a man, especially when you speak to him without using his name

Example

Ravi said, 'Thanks for the help, bud,' outside the station.

informal address in direct speech

At the bus stop, a stranger asked, 'Need a map, bud?'

Common collocations
  • hey, bud
  • listen, bud
  • call someone bud
Synonyms
  • buddy

    Buddy is usually warmer and more clearly friendly.

  • pal

    Pal is casual and can sound slightly old-fashioned.

  • mate

    Mate is especially common in British English.

Grammar Patterns

say 'bud' to someone

call someone bud

Usage Note

Common in direct speech, especially from one man to another. Tone matters: it can sound friendly, rough, or slightly rude depending on the situation.

Common Mistakes

Good morning, bud,' Eva said to her professor.
Good morning, Professor Lin,' Eva said.
'bud' is very informal and can sound rude in formal situations.

4. marijuana, especially the dried flower part that people smoke

4.nounC1
Definition

marijuana, especially the dried flower part that people smoke

Example

The room smelled of bud after last night's party.

slang noun for marijuana

Police found bags of bud in the back seat.

Common collocations
  • smell of bud
  • bags of bud
  • sell bud
Synonyms
  • marijuana

    This is the standard term in general English.

  • cannabis

    Cannabis is more formal and common in legal or medical contexts.

  • weed

    Weed is a very common slang term and can sound rougher.

Grammar Patterns

smell of bud

bags of bud

Usage Note

Common in informal talk and slang. In medical, legal, or careful writing, cannabis or marijuana is more neutral.

Idioms

nip something in the bud

idiom

To stop a problem early, before it becomes serious.

Maya nipped the rumor in the bud by explaining the truth.

Brian's teacher nipped his bad habit in the bud with a warning.

bud — verb

Word family

  • budding
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For the plant sense, bud is best when the small growth has formed but has not opened yet. A shoot is a young stem or new growth coming out from the plant, so it often points to shape and direction rather than the unopened stage. A sprout is even earlier and often suggests the first growth from a seed, bean, or root. Blossom usually refers to the flower when it opens, or the flowers on a tree as a group, so it is later than bud. You can say, 'A bud appeared on the rose bush,' but 'New shoots covered the stem' and 'The tree is in blossom now.'

shoot ↗sproutblossom

Etymology

Middle EnglishEnglish

Bud is recorded in Middle English as budde. Its earlier origin is uncertain, but it seems to belong to a Germanic group of words linked with swelling or young growth on a plant. The earliest meaning in English was the small growth that appears before opening, and the verb grew naturally from that image.