coarse

adjective

Save Word

\ 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

Other Words from coarse Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about coarse

Keep scrolling for more

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 In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream cheese and flour until cream cheese resembles coarse peas. — Nancy Stohs, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Testing recipes brought a steady stream of new dishes to my table. A few became favorites.," 7 Jan. 2020 Add butter and pulse until combined and butter is the size of peas or coarse breadcrumbs. — Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, "These pies are a handy way to start the new year," 2 Jan. 2020 It's also filled with exceptions that could turn some seemingly broad protections into coarse sieves, and affects only information collected by business, not government. — CBS News, "California is expanding digital privacy. Will people use it?," 30 Dec. 2019 Outspoken in an age of political correctness, his often coarse satire offended sensibilities. — Duane Byrge, Billboard, "Don Imus, Legendary Radio personality, Dies at 79," 27 Dec. 2019 Peat moss or one of the coarse fibers, such as osmunda or coir used for epiphytic orchids, are good choices of organic materials that aerate a potting mixture while at the same time retaining water. — Boston.com Real Estate, "Winter cactuses are hard to name but easy to grow," 25 Dec. 2019 Perhaps the most depressing reflection sparked by both books is on the supine nature of otherwise intelligent observers in the face of the coarse brutalities of dictatorships. — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, "The Field Guide to Tyranny," 16 Dec. 2019 Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge suicide net, a coarse web of steel designed to catch and cradle people who jump, is two years behind schedule — a puzzling and frustrating delay for those championing the project. — Rachel Swan, SFChronicle.com, "Golden Gate Bridge suicide nets delayed two years, as people keep jumping," 12 Dec. 2019 When video technology arrived, researchers were able to take more precise measurements — but these still tended to be based on coarse quantities, such an animal’s speed or its average position. — Quanta Magazine, "To Decode the Brain, Scientists Automate the Study of Behavior," 10 Dec. 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.