coarse

adjective

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\ ˈkȯrs

coarser; coarsest

Definition of coarse

1 : of ordinary or inferior quality or value : common of what coarse metal ye are molded— Shakespeare

2a(1) : composed of relatively large parts or particles coarse sand

(2) : loose or rough in texture coarse cloth

b : adjusted or designed for heavy, fast, or less delicate work a coarse saw with large teeth

c : not precise or detailed with respect to adjustment or discrimination filled in the details of the rather coarse preliminary report

3 : crude or unrefined in taste, manners, or language

4 : harsh, raucous, or rough in tone

5 chiefly British : of or relating to coarse fish coarse fishing

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Choose the Right Synonym for coarse

coarse, vulgar, gross, obscene, ribald mean offensive to good taste or morals. coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language. found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive vulgar often implies boorishness or ill-breeding. a loud vulgar belch gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness. gross eating habits obscene applies to anything strongly repulsive to the sense of decency and propriety especially in sexual matters. obscene language not allowed on the air ribald applies to what is amusingly or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent. entertained the campers with ribald folk songs

Examples of coarse in a Sentence

He was a man of middle age with coarse, curly gray hair, a dark, pock-marked complexion and protruding, almost batrachian eyes. — Leila Hadley, Give Me the World, (1958) 1999 He had a heavy face and a shrivelled nose and thick, coarse, bunched up skin. — Paul Theroux, Granta, Summer 1994 She'd always been taught—and she'd felt it instinctively—that sun-braised cheeks, sallow skin and reddened hands were coarse and unsightly, the emblem of the foreigner and the day laborer. — T. Coraghessan Boyle, The Road To Wellville, 1993 Around the throbbing machinery was a frame of coarse wire net. — Ursula K. Le Guin, Harper's, August 1990 The dog has a thick, coarse coat. The fabric varies in texture from coarse to fine.

Recent Examples on the Web Contains mature thematic elements throughout, violence and coarse language, including racial epithets. — Washington Post, "We all know Harriet Tubman was a hero. The stars of ‘Harriet’ want you to see her humanity.," 31 Oct. 2019 His boorish behavior, profiteering, coarse language and schoolyard taunts at his political foes have lowered the dignity of the office beyond measure. — Eric Zorn, chicagotribune.com, "Column: FOP’s clownish ‘no confidence’ vote only gives Superintendent Eddie Johnson extra job security, for now," 25 Oct. 2019 Usually, if your hair is easy to straighten, a ceramic straightener is the way to go while a titanium straightener is ideal if your hair is coarse and harder to straighten. — Bianca Nieves, Teen Vogue, "The 13 Best Straighteners and Flat Irons for Curly Hair," 16 Oct. 2019 Add the chickpeas to the processor and pulse until everything is well incorporated but the mixture is still coarse and grainy, stopping to scrape down the bowl as needed. — CBS News, "The Dish: Healthy recipes from chef Ellie Krieger," 12 Oct. 2019 Look for a 100-grit nail file, which is coarse enough to file down the surface of the acrylics. — Marci Robin, Good Housekeeping, "How to Easily Remove Acrylic Nails at Home," 8 Apr. 2019 Fingerling potatoes, shallots and chestnuts are roasted under a blanket of coarse salt, which locks in flavor and moisture. — Grant Butler, oregonlive, "35 vegan Thanksgiving recipes to be truly thankful for," 12 Nov. 2019 Fill the pan with sesame seeds for Pimiento Cheese Crackers, poppy seeds for these cheesy guys, or coarse sanding sugar for shortbread cookies. — Emma Wartzman, Bon Appétit, "7 Ways to Use A Loaf Pan That Don't Involve Cake," 22 Oct. 2019 This is a Sunday night in Canadian campaign season — different in tone, pace, substance, and character from the raucous, coarse, gritty, permanent campaign Americans are conducting below the border. — BostonGlobe.com, "“Americans find that odd, a real disconnect. But it speaks to the way powers are shared in Canada. The separation of powers in Canada is less among the institutions of government than it is between Ottawa and the provinces.’’," 4 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coarse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.