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coarse

coarse

29 3.7
A surface like sand or rough cloth that has large grains and is not smooth
  • adjective
  • /kɔrs/
: áspero
  • He prefers coarse sea salt over the fine variety for its stronger flavor.
  • coarse sand
  • coarse texture
  • coarse material

God bless me with thick, coarse horsehair on my head.

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Examples

  • I've had dandruff since I was little and I have kind of coarse dry hair.

  • What kind would you like, fine or coarse?

  • That must be to do with how fine or coarse they cut.

  • "...though her features were coarse and tough."

  • And what coarse hands he has.

  • It's rough and it's coarse, perhaps but it's also clean.

  • The stem is quite coarse, so I tend to just strip that out.

  • Very, very thick, coarse and surprisingly red, so red.

  • It's the coarse feel of rope I don't like.

  • Where Betty's hair was thick and coarse, Annie Ruth's was just the opposite.

    Fiction book (1993)

Synonyms

rough
vscoarse
144 1.0

Not smooth and often harsh in sound

applies more to texture or poor quality in general
grainy
vscoarse
24 3.7

Rough in feel or look because of many tiny pieces

is broader, also covering large particles and low quality
chunky
vscoarse
21 3.5

Thick and full of small pieces, like peanut butter

differs by referring to lumps rather than particle based unevenness
gritty
vscoarse
13 4.1

Has a rough texture with small hard grains

stresses general lack of fineness and sometimes low quality
granular
vscoarse
9 5.1

A material made of many small grains like sand

focuses more widely on uneven texture and possible inferior quality
coarse-grained
vscoarse
1 4.8

A rough texture made of large visible grains

is the broader term covering uneven texture or low quality
sandpapery
vscoarse
1 7.0

Feels rough and slightly scratchy when you touch it

is a broader description of uneven texture, not only abrasive feel
rough-textured
vscoarse
1 3.7

A surface that feels bumpy or not smooth to the touch

focuses more on overall uneven surface and possible low quality
large-grained
vscoarse
1 3.9

The texture has large, easily seen pieces

differs by being the general label, not only about particle size
coarse-textured
vscoarse
1 4.9

Having a rough surface that feels slightly scratchy

is the general label that also implies low or inferior quality

Antonyms

224 1.0

A surface that is even and not rough

130 1.0

Has very small particles so it feels smooth

refined
  • Formal
25 4.1

Showing elegant, polite manners and good taste

Compounds

A rough texture made of large visible grains

coarse-grained
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A way of describing data or plans in broad categories with little detail

Having a rough surface that feels slightly scratchy

1 5.8

A rough surface with large, easily seen grains

Having rough fur that does not feel soft

coarse-grained sand
  • Specialized
3.7

A type of sand with large rough grains used for building, gardening, or sports surfaces

How Rough

abrasive
6 4.8
coarse
29 3.7
fine
130 1.0
smooth
224 1.0

Surface Forms

coarse positive
coarser comparative
coarsest superlative

Etymology

Coarse comes from an old French word meaning 'rough' or 'thick'. Imagine large, rough grains or a cloth that does not feel smooth, and you will see why coarse describes a rough texture or large particles.