Yes, it refers only to "easily shocked by references to sex" (or, possibly, bathroom functions). It has no other meaning. (I'm a native U.S. speaker). This word is not used very commonly, but it is used and would be understood. It is used less today, simply because prudish behavior is less common today! It is neither colloquial nor formal. It is a criticism to call someone "prudish." It is worse to call somebody "a prude" because it means they are always prudish. The complimentary term for the same behavior would be "modest." Here is an example of use, and a true story. When I was a child in the 1950s, when we had chicken for dinner, my parents never used the term "thigh." They always referred to the thigh as the "second joint." During the first half of the 1950s, a woman's thighs were considered to be too sexualized to refer to in polite talk. Nowadays this seems incredibly prudish. Here is another possible example of modern-day use. (A "hot tub" is an round, outdoor structure, big enough for eight or so people to sit in, with the water heated to about 38°C). "So, we have a hot tub out there and it's a perfect day for it, why don't we all go out to the hot tub?" "But I don't have a bathing suit with me." "Oh, don't be such a prude. Nobody wears bathing suits in a hot tub." (For the record, I've only been invited to use a hot tub twice, and both times everybody did wear bathing suits). (And I said "modern-day use," but the craze for hot tubs is fading so perhaps I am out of date on that, too!) Another example. ("Mormons" is the common and acceptable nickname for members of the "LDS Church" or "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," centered in the U.S. state of Utah). Critical: "Mormons are prudish." Complimentary: "LDS church members dress modestly." (When we visited Utah, we noticed highway billboards from companies advertising "modest prom dresses" for high-school students).

Hi Apple I agree with most of the comments above, except I would say it's still used fairly regularly in British English. Here is a link to a recent news article which uses the word 'prude' in context (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/prude-pulls-grans-frilly-knickers-8827003). You'll see the subject matter is related to sex. However, on occasion I have heard people use 'prudish' to mean anyone who is shocked by something which they consider indecent or immoral. Chris

Here are some synonyms which may put the term in context: puritanical, puritan, priggish, prim, prim and proper, formal, moralistic, strait-laced, prissy, mimsy, stuffy, niminy-piminy, Victorian, old-maid, old-maidish, schoolmistressy, schoolmarmish governessy; More From: https://www.google.com.au/search?q=prudish&oq=prudish&aqs=chrome..69i57.3795j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

It is a word that is not used very often in common conversation. I think the origin is from the Victorian era in England where people were expected to be very proper. So it does refer to more than just sex but that is often what people think when they hear/use the word prude or prudish. Hope that helps.

HAHA never knew such a word exists