coarse

adjective \ ˈkȯrs \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: coarse in a Sentence

Definition of coarse

coarser; coarsest

1 : of ordinary or inferior quality or value : common

of what coarse metal ye are molded
—Shakespeare

2 a (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

—

coarsely

adverb

—

coarseness

noun

See coarse defined for English-language learners

See coarse defined for kids

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 of coarse from the Web

The problem is that the spatial resolution of this model is too coarse to include a detailed representation of the topography of Aphrodite Terra.

— scott k. johnson, Ars Technica, "Huge wave in Venus’ clouds changes the length of a day," 22 June 2018
Add drops of fruity Spanish olive oil and a dramatic sprinkle of coarse salt.

— jeanmarie brownson, chicagotribune.com, "Pack up a picnic of Spanish tapas to feed a crowd," 3 July 2018
The result can be coarse, abrasive and a little bit brilliant.

— christopher arnott, courant.com, "A Coarse, Cacophonous, Compelling 'Cabaret' In New Haven," 26 June 2018
Beaches lose points for water that’s too chilly, sand that’s too coarse, condo towers instead of dunes, riptides and drownings, erosion and limited public access.

— beth j. harpaz, sacbee, "Beach connoisseur: Maui has best one, Coronado’s is 9th," 31 May 2018
Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

— carrie purcell, Country Living, "Cheddar Biscuits," 9 Mar. 2018
Use 220- to 320-grit for coarse, 400-grit for medium, and 600-grit for fine.

— josh donald, Popular Mechanics, "The Right Way to Sharpen Kitchen Knives," 17 Nov. 2017
Monnich’s kitchen also does a fine job with its charcuterie, especially the coarse-ground chicken-mushroom pâté scented with Madeira.

— craig laban, Philly.com, "The Bercy adds French brasserie sheen to thriving Ardmore scene," 13 July 2018
Ethnically German, African and Native American, his hair was coarse and curly.

— leilani marie labong, SFChronicle.com, "At the Culture of Hair salon, the mission is top of mind — and head," 5 July 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of coarse

Middle English cors, perhaps from course, noun — see ¹course

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

coarse Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of coarse

coarse, vulgar, gross, obscene, ribald mean offensive to good taste or morals. coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language.