The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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rough

adjective

/rʌf/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of rough

Uneven, coarse, or not smooth in texture or appearance.
"The rough estimate of the project's cost exceeded our initial expectations."

Detailed meaning of rough

It conveys a sense of ruggedness, lack of refinement, or a surface that is characterized by irregularities, bumps, or abrasions. When applied to objects or materials, "rough" suggests a lack of refinement, polish, or precision, often exhibiting a raw or unfinished quality. It can also describe a state of being unprocessed or in an initial, unrefined stage. In a figurative sense, "rough" can refer to something that is challenging, difficult, or not easily navigable. It implies a lack of ease, comfort, or smoothness in a situation or experience. For example, a rough journey indicates a challenging or arduous trip. Overall, the adjective "rough" conveys a sense of coarseness, unevenness, or difficulty, whether referring to physical texture or figurative circumstances.

Example sentences containing rough

1. His hands felt rough from working outdoors all day.
2. The rough surface of the wall needed to be sanded before painting.
3. We had a rough start to our hiking trip due to the challenging terrain.
4. The rough edges of the broken glass posed a danger to anyone nearby.
5. The weather took a turn for the worse, and we endured a rough storm.
6. The athlete's rough performance was a result of an injury during training.

History and etymology of rough

The adjective 'rough' has an etymology that can be traced back to Old English, where it was spelled as 'ruh.' This Old English term evolved from the Proto-Germanic word '*rukhwaz,' which conveyed the sense of roughness, ruggedness, or unevenness. Delving even deeper, we find that '*rukhwaz' can be linked to the Proto-Indo-European root '*reug-' or '*reugh-,' which means 'to tear' or 'to scratch.' This etymological journey underscores the essence of 'rough' as describing a surface or texture that is not smooth but rather characterized by irregularities, coarseness, or abrasions, in line with its historical associations with scratching and tearing.

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Further usage examples of rough

1. The rough sketch captured the essence of the artist's vision.
2. Her voice was rough from cheering loudly at the concert.
3. The ship sailed through rough waters, causing many passengers to feel seasick.
4. The rough translation provided a basic understanding of the foreign text.
5. The mechanic warned that the car's engine was running rough and needed repair.
6. The rough terrain made hiking challenging.
7. Her hands felt rough from years of hard work.
8. The surface of the rock was jagged and rough.
9. His rough sketch captured the essence of the scene.
10. The weathered wood had a rough, rustic charm.
11. The road ahead was bumpy and rough.
12. The cat's tongue felt rough against my skin.
13. The sandpaper smoothed out the rough edges.
14. The old book's pages were yellowed and rough.
15. The texture of the fabric was coarse and rough.
16. The sea was turbulent, creating rough waves.
17. His voice sounded rough after a night of shouting.
18. The unfinished painting had a raw, rough beauty.
19. Her hair was tangled and felt rough to the touch.
20. The rough draft needed significant revisions.
21. The car's suspension handled the rough road well.
22. The surface of the wall was uneven and rough.
23. The path through the forest was rocky and rough.
24. The boxer's gloves had a rough, leather exterior.
25. The rough seas caused the ship to pitch and roll.