Rough Meaning and Definition

Rough

Rough

Pronunciation

/raʊf/

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

Uncultivated or unrefined; rough in texture or surface.

Examples

  • The rough terrain made it difficult to hike.
  • The rough stone wall surrounded the farm.

Synonyms

  • Coarse
  • Harsh
  • Crude

Antonyms

  • Smooth
  • Metallic
  • Petite

Etymology

From Old English ruh, rūh, rough, rude, or rugged, also related to the Proto-Germanic *rukiz, and the Proto-Indo-European *reudʰ-.

Usage Notes

The word “Rough” can be used to describe something that is difficult to handle or manipulate, such as rough terrain, or something that is unpolished or unrefined, such as rough-hewn wood.

Cultural References

Rough has been used in popular culture, such as in the song “Rough Ride” by Reggie and the Full Effect, or in the novel “Rough Riders” by Louis L’Amour.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Some common idioms or phrases that include the word “Rough” are “rough around the edges”, meaning someone or something is a bit unrefined, or “to rough it”, meaning to live or travel in a simple or primitive way.

Related Words or Phrases

Words or phrases closely related in meaning or usage to “Rough” include “coarse”, “harsh”, “crude”, and “unrefined”.

Collocations

Common word combinations with the term “Rough” include “rough terrain”, “rough stone”, or “rough around the edges”.

Frequency of Use

The word “Rough” is commonly used in everyday language to describe something that is unrefined or difficult to handle.

Common Misspellings

Common misspellings of the word “Rough” include “Roughly”, “Rouff”, or “Ruff”.

Related Words