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

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

Megan Rapinoe apologized for using coarse language but stands by her statement about not visiting the White House after the Women's World Cup. — Pat Brennan, Cincinnati.com, "How to watch USWNT vs. France in FIFA World Cup quarterfinals," 27 June 2019 Place the pan in the sink, add about ½ inch or so of warm water, then sprinkle in a half cup of coarse salt. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How To Clean a Cast-Iron Pan," 3 June 2019 Tip: Look for a mix with perlite, lava rock, coarse sand, or all three! — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "How to Grow Your Own Aloe Plant in Time for Summer," 6 May 2019 The Airwrap comes in three kits: one for fine hair ($499.99), one for coarse hair ($499.99), and one that contains the attachments for both kits ($549.99). — Lindsay Schallon, Glamour, "Dyson Made a $500 Dryer That Literally Curls Your Hair for You," 9 Oct. 2018 If hair-removal is on your mind this summer, there's a lot to go over: underarm fuzz, coarse arm hair, leg stubble, the bikini area and more. — Sam Escobar, Good Housekeeping, "Your Ultimate Body Hair Removal Guide," 17 July 2018 The small firm’s shaving products are designed for men with coarse or curly hair, like many people of color. — Aisha Al-muslim, WSJ, "Big Beauty Taps Black-Owned Startups’ Loyal Customers," 11 Mar. 2019 These coarse, highly textured types of fiber can remain surprisingly intact even after chewing, which leaves quite a job for the digestive system organs to break down into passable particle sizes. — SELF, "Why This Registered Dietitian Tells (Some of) Her Patients to Avoid Kale Salads," 30 Nov. 2018 Jasmin has box colored her hair black, red, and brown '7 or 8 times' and has coarse, straight, level 2 hair. — Marci Robin, Allure, "This Super-Long Ombré Hair Transformation Is a Feat of Color-Correction Magic," 13 Nov. 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.