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crude

crude

43 4.6
Not yet processed or made into useful products
  • adjective
  • /kruːd/
translation icon : crudo
  • They built a crude shelter from branches and leaves while camping in the wilderness.
  • crude oil
  • crude oil prices
  • crude petroleum

So that is obviously a gross estimate, very crude.

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Examples

  • The artist used a crude sketch to illustrate his initial concept for the sculpture.

  • The scientist presented a crude diagram to show the basic structure of the cell.

  • This was the very crude origins of the idea of string theory.

  • An upright ape, living in dust, with crude language and tools.

  • Perhaps a crude map will be used to reorient themselves towards the objective.

  • Eastern Europe is lacking in diversified energy resources, particularly crude oil and natural gas.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The horizontal axis is the crude oil price, and the curve represents a $60 alternative fuel cost.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Nigeria became a centralized petrol state, a country in which more than 85% of government revenues were dominated by crude oil.

  • There's sort of a, a crude, raw, barren elemental beauty to it.

Synonyms

raw
vscrude
353 1.0

In a natural state not cooked, treated, or finished

is more general, adding lack of refinement or development
unprocessed
vscrude
5 3.4

Not changed from its natural form

focuses more widely, including undeveloped or unpolished states
unrefined
vscrude
3 4.4

In its natural raw state without processing

is broader, also meaning not developed or finished yet
in the raw
vscrude
1 5.4

In a natural state without being changed

covers that sense but also applies to undeveloped things
undistilled
vscrude
7.0

Shown in a raw, honest way without softening

is broader, meaning simply not refined or developed yet

Antonyms

refined
  • Specialized
1 3.5

Pure because processing removes unwanted parts

2.9

Made with machines or chemicals to last longer and be ready to eat

Compounds

crude oil
  • Specialized
47 3.4

A thick black oil from under the ground used to make fuel

How Refined

refined
  • Specialized
1 3.5
processed
2.9
crude
43 4.6
raw
353 1.0

Surface Forms

crude positive
cruder comparative
crudest superlative

Etymology

Crude comes from the old Latin word crudus meaning 'raw' or 'bloody'. So when we call ores or oil 'crude', we mean they are in a 'raw' state, not yet cleaned or refined.