rougher; roughest
1
a
: marked by inequalities, ridges, or projections on the surface : coarse
b
: covered with or made up of coarse and often shaggy hair
rough-coated collie
compare smooth, wirehaired
c(1)
: having a broken, uneven, or bumpy surface
rough terrain
(2)
: difficult to travel through or penetrate : wild
… into the rough woods …—
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Percy Bysshe Shelley2
a
: turbulent, tempestuous
rough seas
b(1)
: characterized by harshness, violence, or force
rough treatment
rough sports
grew up in a rough area
These dishes can't withstand rough handling.
Don't be so rough on them for the mistake. [=don't criticize or punish them so harshly]
(2)
: presenting a challenge : difficult
… rough to deal with …—Robert McAlmon
Robert McAlmonOur ancestors had it rough [=had a difficult existence] compared to us.
He's going through a rough time. [=his life has been difficult lately]
3
: coarse or rugged in character or appearance: such as
a
: harsh to the ear
a rough voice
b
: crude in style or expression
c
d
: marked by a lack of refinement or grace : uncouth
a rough character
4
a
: crude, unfinished
rough carpentry
b
: executed or ventured hastily, tentatively, or imperfectly
a rough draft
rough estimate
also
: approximate
a rough idea
The plan has some rough edges. [=has some aspects that need to be changed or finished]
The design is still a bit rough around the edges. [=the design needs refinement]
Examples of rough in a Sentence
He trimmed the rough edge of the paper.
We traveled over rough dirt roads.
They hiked through rough terrain.
We were a bit shaken from the plane's rough landing.
He went through a rough patch after his divorce.
They've hit a few rough spots in their marriage.
Despite a rough start, the team won more games this season than last.
Recent Examples on the Web
After a night that featured 38 foul calls and a gritty Connecticut team determined to make a statement in Atlanta, the Dream clinched a 91-74 win over the Sun in a back-and-forth matchup that started rough but ended on a high note in their first Commissioner’s Cup game.
—Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 3 June 2026
Breaking waves of 4 to 6 feet will result in rough surf conditions and a high risk of rip currents.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026
By studying how dogs navigate rough terrain, geckos climb walls, and fish move through water, researchers are creating machines capable of solving problems that traditional robots struggle to address.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 June 2026
Each front wheel can also independently travel vertically by as much as 260 mm, plus there's a rear shock with 120 mm of travel, facilitating smooth and level travel over rough and uneven terrain.
—New Atlas, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rough
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Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 3 June 2026
Breaking waves of 4 to 6 feet will result in rough surf conditions and a high risk of rip currents.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026
By studying how dogs navigate rough terrain, geckos climb walls, and fish move through water, researchers are creating machines capable of solving problems that traditional robots struggle to address.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 June 2026
Each front wheel can also independently travel vertically by as much as 260 mm, plus there's a rear shock with 120 mm of travel, facilitating smooth and level travel over rough and uneven terrain.
—New Atlas, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rough
Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rough. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rough
1 of 4 adjective1
a
: having an uneven surface : not smooth
b
: covered with or made up of coarse and often shaggy hair or bristles
a rough-coated terrier
2
a
: not calm
rough seas
b
: being harsh or violent
rough treatment
c
: difficult to take or deal with
we've had some rough times
3
a
: harsh to the ear
b
: coarse or rugged in nature or look
4
: not complete or exact
a rough draft
rough estimate
rough
2 of 4 noun1
: uneven ground covered with high grass, brush, and stones
2
: the rugged or unpleasant part of something
nature in the rough
3
: something in a crude or unfinished state
also
: such a state
a diamond in the rough
rough
3 of 4 adverb
: in a rough way : not smoothly
the engine idled rough, but ran smoothly at high speed
Medical Definition
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