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rough

rough

164 1.0
Not smooth and often harsh in sound
  • adjective
  • /rʌf/
translation icon : áspero
  • When we crossed icy ground, his rough glove grasped my thick knitted mitten.
  • a rough surface
  • rough terrain
  • a rough texture

The burning girl flushed red against the rough brown of the couch.

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Examples

  • The walls were made of a core of rough stone blocks faced with limestone slabs.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The ground is smooth and rough, dry and wet.

  • Well, I mean, it seems a little rough, but...

  • It's a little rough, so be nice.

  • Now, these are rough, but they will give you a good idea.

  • And your hands are so rough.

  • There's still rough seas from the storm.

  • Lirrel half-closed her eyes and leaned her back against the rough surface of the wall.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • A hard surface, cloud-white and flecked like marble, but rough to the touch, feeling similar to sandstone.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The surface of the table is rough, making it uncomfortable to write on.

Synonyms

bumpy
vsrough
68 1.0

A surface or movement that is not smooth and has small raised parts

is more general, used for surfaces and journeys with irregularities
uneven
vsrough
42 2.3

Not smooth or level, with parts higher and lower

is the general adjective used also for sounds, journeys, and finishes
coarse
vsrough
26 3.7

A surface like sand or rough cloth that has large grains and is not smooth

is the general adjective for lack of smoothness without implying poor quality
jagged
vsrough
22 3.6

An edge or outline with rough, sharp points

is broader, used for unevenness that is not necessarily sharp
textured
vsrough
13 4.1

Having a surface you can feel that is not smooth

is more general, applying also to sounds, journeys, and other senses
rocky
vsrough
9 3.0

Something that moves in an unsteady way with sudden bumps

is the broad adjective for uneven conditions beyond just movement
unpolished
vsrough
4 4.4

Rough in behavior, skill, or looks and awkward in social situations

focuses on plain or unfinished quality rather than surface texture
jaggy
vsrough
1 7.8

A surface that is rough and has many sharp points, like broken rock

is more general and applies to many kinds of non smooth surfaces
unmanicured
vsrough
1 6.1

A thing not neatly kept or cut that looks natural

is broader and applies to many domains beyond neatness or grooming
jolty
vsrough
1 7.4

Moving with sudden, uneven bumps that make you feel unsteady

describes general lack of smoothness rather than sudden motion quality
unsmooth
vsrough
6.2

A surface that is uneven and feels rough to touch

is the everyday form used across many senses without technical detail
rough-textured
vsrough
3.7

A surface that feels bumpy or not smooth to the touch

is the shorter, more general form used in many contexts beyond texture
coarse-textured
vsrough
4.9

Having a rough surface that feels slightly scratchy

is the usual adjective for lack of smoothness without particle implication
roughish
vsrough
5.4

Feels slightly rough to the touch

is the standard adjective used for a stronger lack of smoothness
notchy
vsrough
7.9

A surface that feels rough because it has small bumps or cuts

emphasizes overall lack of smoothness rather than specific notches
sandpapery
vsrough
7.0

Feels rough and slightly scratchy when you touch it

describes general lack of smoothness without abrasive comparison
roughhewn
vsrough
8.2

Stone or wood that has a not smooth surface made with simple tools

is the general adjective used beyond carved or shaped materials
rough-cut
vsrough
  • Specialized
4.9

Shaped but not smoothed or fully finished

is the broader adjective for many not smooth surfaces and qualities
jolting
vsrough
5.0

Causing a sudden rough movement or shock

is the wider adjective used for surfaces, sounds, journeys, and more

Antonyms

256 1.0

A surface that is even and not rough

26 2.1

A shiny, smooth surface after being rubbed or cleaned

Idioms

7 5.2

A person or thing with great talent but little polish

To go through a short time with problems after a good time

rough time of it
  • Informal
2 6.5

A period when someone has many problems

Accept the good and bad parts of a situation

Compounds

rough cut
  • Specialized
5 4.8

An early edited version of a film before final changes

the rough
  • Jargon
5 7.0

An area on a golf course with long grass that makes play harder

rough-and-tumble
  • Informal
3 7.3

Energetic and rough, not following usual rules

3 3.6

Sea or big lake with strong waves that make travel by boat difficult

2 8.1

A soldier on horseback in the volunteer unit led by Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War

1 4.7

A sharp, uneven part that can cut, or a small fault in a person's way of behaving

An appearance that seems tough but hides a softer side

rough-and-ready
  • Informal
1 6.6

Simple and not carefully made but good enough for the job

rough sledding
  • Informal
1 7.0

A difficult time that is hard to get through

1 8.1

A harsh punishment people give without help from the police or courts

rough trot
  • Informal
1 8.1

A difficult time or an uncomfortable ride someone has

rough-skinned newt
  • Specialized
1 8.8

A small salamander with rough skin that lives near streams on the Pacific coast

A climbing evergreen plant with spiny zigzag stems, shiny leaves, and pale green flowers

rough bristlegrass
  • Specialized
9.6

A grass with rough, stiff seed heads that often grows as a weed

A quick simple sketch that shows the main ideas

rough pea
  • Specialized
8.8

A winter plant with weak stems that farmers use to cover soil and feed animals

7.1

A person who sleeps outside because they have no home

rough fish
  • Jargon
8.1

A fish people do not want to eat, catch, or use as bait

rough green snake
  • Specialized
8.4

A thin bright green snake with rough scales that is harmless and lives in the southern and eastern United States

rough horsetail
  • Specialized
9.6

An evergreen plant with rough, jointed stems that people use to scrub pans

A noisy, rough fight with little care for rules

rough-cut
  • Specialized
4.9

Shaped but not smoothed or fully finished

A cloth with a coarse, uneven surface that feels scratchy

rough-leaved aster
  • Specialized
9.5

A North American plant that lives for many years with rough hairy leaves and purple daisy-like flowers

rough-legged hawk
  • Specialized
7.0

A large Northern hawk with feathered legs that hunts small animals like mice

A person who speaks in a rude, harsh way

7.9

A plant from North America with rough stems and small yellow flowers

A surface that feels bumpy or not smooth to the touch

How Rough

coarse
26 3.7
rough
164 1.0
bumpy
68 1.0
uneven
42 2.3

Surface Forms

rough positive
rougher comparative
roughest superlative

Etymology

Rough comes from an old English word ruh that meant 'hairy' or 'coarse', like an animal's shaggy fur; imagine running your hand over a sheep's coat. So when something is not smooth or even, we call it 'rough'.