naked or nude ?

There is no real difference - except maybe philosophically.

"Naked" to me involves "something more" than the mere absence of clothing. It's the "physical and emotional behavior" of the unclad person; be it be vulnerability or strength.

Someone at a nudist resort can be completely undressed; yet be self-conscious and reserved about their appearance, choosing a more "static" positioning vis--vis other people.
Contrast this with the "active" nudist, who is walking, swimming and socializing openly naked. Hence "naked" vs "nude."

My wife once mused that she had never felt as "naked" as the time she decided to go paddle-boarding at the resort lake. That's because even though she had been nude sitting by the pool or lake (statically); she had never been as openly naked, balancing and standing on the board, while (dynamically) paddle-boarding her way back and forth, as other nudists observed. In her case the "nakedness" came from both a sense of vulnerability ("everyone can see me completely naked!") and strength ("I love that I can be comfortable doing this!") I think her example provided a good illustration of the contrast between the two terms.

• 4 years ago

Vulnerability is probably the strongest distinction. Some people describe not wearing a seatbelt in a moving car as a feeling of nakedness while I've even noticed feeling it when mask restrictions are relaxed (only for an instant, LOL).

English certainly is rich in vocabulary with many different words with subtle differences in meaning. To me, English doesn't just borrow words from other languages, it follow them up dark alleys, assaults them, and takes what it wants!

• 4 years ago

What is the difference between naked and nude? In German there is only one word; nackt.

My dad always said - Nude was when you had no clothes on, naked was when you had no clothes on and were up to something. (something sinful)

• 3 years ago

Another thought on the difference.

Once we are aware that our nudity makes us objects of desire, we become naked." -CHLOE THURLOW

• 3 years ago

What is the difference between naked and nude? In German there is only one word; nackt.

There is the school of thought that naked equals vulnerable while nude meas not wearing clothes.

• 3 years ago

Nekkid (sic) - to be unclothed and doing something sexual (paraphrasing some comic)

I think the actual quote is "naked and up to no good!" LOL someone correct me if I'm wrong!

• 3 years ago

Thats funny. There is even a German equivalent to nekkid: nackig. A colloquial word for nackt.

• 3 years ago

Most likely, just a pronunciation: the second, which is 'nude' - 'naked', and the first, 'naked' - just 'bare', i.e. more simplified word. But that's just my opinion, of course... Moreover, the word 'naked' also has such meanings as 'explicit', 'open', 'uncovered' - sometimes they are used as synonyms

• 2 years ago

"Naked" equates to "exposed". "Nude" equates to "without covering". Functionally they are the same state but "naked" infers that there is a reason to be covered. "Nude" is simply a state of being.

• 2 years ago

I prefer naked because it sounds more middle class and natural while nude sounds so upper class and snooty.

• 2 years ago