diamond in the rough
noun phrase
: one having exceptional qualities or potential but lacking refinement or polish
Examples of diamond in the rough in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, one idea might prove to be a diamond in the rough.
—
USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
Maybe the Niners can polish their diamond in the rough.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024
To a man skilled at finding beauty in unexpected places, Darling was a diamond in the rough.
—Jordan Runtagh, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024
Could there be another diamond in the rough in 2024-25?
—Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 12 Jan. 2024
Alvi, who declined to quantify the size of his firm’s stake, believes Roblox is a diamond in the rough that sits at the intersection of social media, gaming and commerce.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2023
More From House Beautiful As if finding an artistic diamond in the rough isn't exciting enough, this painting is poised to be worth some serious coin; Bonhams Skinner is putting the piece up for auction on September 19, where it is estimated to sell for as much as $250,000.
—Kelsey Mulvey, House Beautiful, 6 Sep. 2023
Runyan has been a diamond in the rough for Gutekunst, and certainly won’t break the bank in free agency.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes, 17 July 2023
USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
Maybe the Niners can polish their diamond in the rough.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024
To a man skilled at finding beauty in unexpected places, Darling was a diamond in the rough.
—Jordan Runtagh, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024
Could there be another diamond in the rough in 2024-25?
—Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 12 Jan. 2024
Alvi, who declined to quantify the size of his firm’s stake, believes Roblox is a diamond in the rough that sits at the intersection of social media, gaming and commerce.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2023
More From House Beautiful As if finding an artistic diamond in the rough isn't exciting enough, this painting is poised to be worth some serious coin; Bonhams Skinner is putting the piece up for auction on September 19, where it is estimated to sell for as much as $250,000.
—Kelsey Mulvey, House Beautiful, 6 Sep. 2023
Runyan has been a diamond in the rough for Gutekunst, and certainly won’t break the bank in free agency.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes, 17 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diamond in the rough.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Diamond in the rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diamond%20in%20the%20rough. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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