What does raw mean?

Pronunciation

/rɔː/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

Not cooked or heated; in its natural state; unprocessed or untreated.

Examples

• The chef served the raw vegetables as a crudité.
• The artist’s raw talent was evident in her early work.

Synonyms

• Uncooked
• Natural
• Unprocessed

Antonyms

• Cooked
• Processed
• Treated

Additional Information

The term “raw” can be used in various contexts, including cooking, art, and psychology. In cooking, raw refers to uncooked or unheated food. In art, raw talent refers to natural ability or skill that has not been developed or refined. In psychology, raw emotion refers to unfiltered or unrepressed feelings.

In addition to its literal meaning, “raw” can also be used figuratively to describe something or someone that is unrefined, unpolished, or unbridled. For example, a raw and untamed landscape might be one that is wild and untouched.

Etymology

The word “raw” has its roots in Old English, where it was spelled “rā” and meant “uncooked” or “unripe”. Over time, the spelling and meaning of the word have evolved, but its core sense of something being in its natural or unprocessed state has remained.

Usage Notes

In cooking, “raw” is often used to describe ingredients that have not been cooked or heated, such as raw vegetables or raw meat. In art and psychology, “raw” is used to describe natural talent or unfiltered emotions.

Cultural References

The term “raw” has been used in popular culture to describe music, particularly in the genre of raw punk rock, which is characterized by its fast-paced and unpolished sound.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• Raw deal: an unfair or unjust situation
• In the raw: in a natural or unprocessed state

Related Words or Phrases

• Uncooked
• Natural
• Rough

Collocations

• Raw food
• Raw talent
• Raw emotion

Frequency of Use

The word “raw” is commonly used in everyday language, particularly in cooking and art contexts. It is also used in psychology and popular culture to describe natural talent or unfiltered emotions.

Common Misspellings

• Raww
• Rawr
• Rae