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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Other Words from coarse Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing coarse Learn More About coarse

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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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web On redirect Monday afternoon, Depp sought to explain some of his coarse language. — CBS News, 28 Apr. 2022 Contains violence, some bloody images, brief nudity, mature thematic elements and coarse language throughout. — Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2022 Meant to add shine and improve hair’s manageability, the shampoo and conditioner works best on medium to coarse hair, or fine hair that’s damaged or dry. — Kiana Murden, CNN Underscored, 26 Feb. 2021 Groundskeeper carts traversed the area in the pre-dawn hours, distributing coarse green sand as if salting the roads during a snowstorm. — Sam Farmerstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2022 These also might be labeled coarse ground or whole grain mustards. — Katie Workman, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2022 At one point, Amleth’s uncle Fjölnir (Claes Bang) wears a showstopping Viking cloak called a varafeldr, made with tog, the long coarse wool from the outer coat of Icelandic sheep. — Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2022 Rub a lemon wedge around one-half of the outer rim of a rocks glass, then invert the glass into a dish of coarse salt. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 31 Mar. 2022 Season soup at the end with Maldon salt and coarse black pepper to taste. — Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2022 See More

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.

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