coarse

adjective

\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

The 158-year-old spa recently introduced Quartz Massage, or psammotherapy (derived from the Greek word for sand), which involves lying atop a trough-like table of heated crystals more coarse than beach sand. — Melinda Fulmer, latimes.com, "I tried a 100-degree Quartz Massage — and loved it," 29 June 2018 By applying pressure to your fingertips, the actuators can replicate object stiffness, coarse textures, and the sensation of holding physical objects in your hands. — Eric Adams, WIRED, "VR Pilot Training Now Comes With a Sense of Touch," 26 June 2018 Textures ranged from a smooth paste to much more coarse. — Bill Daley, chicagotribune.com, "Battle of the ketchups: We taste 12, and winner is probably not your favorite brand," 25 June 2018 Sarah Gish The rings emerge from the fryer with a coarse coat of dark brown batter. — Sarah Gish, kansascity, "Batter up: Here are 18 KC-area places to get perfect, golden-fried onion rings," 21 June 2018 Add butter; beat with electric mixer on medium speed until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. — Lauren Delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Celebrate National Pecan Pie Day with a modern take on this classic," 12 July 2018 The salty, crunchy batter is a nice contrast to the sweet onions, a coarse, crumbly texture in your mouth with an earthy note that tasted like cumin. — Bethany Jean Clement, The Seattle Times, "Seattle’s top 4 burger spots — ranked by Seattle Times critics," 10 July 2018 Place fennel seeds in a spice grinder and grind until coarse. — Nicole Sours Larson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "White fish & vegetables," 9 July 2018 Material Matters Sturdy, slightly coarse 100% cotton—less likely to be permanently besmirched by sweat or nacho stains than a finer, paler fabric. — Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, "The Chambray Shirt: Why Every Man Needs This All-American Staple," 3 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.