coarse

play

adjective \ˈkȯrs\

Definition of coarse

coarser

;

coarsest

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 clothb : adjusted or designed for heavy, fast, or less delicate work a coarse saw with large teethc : 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 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
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
The dog has a thick, coarse coat.
The fabric varies in texture from coarse to fine.

Recent Examples of coarse from the Web

Thursday's tweets focused attention on Trump's coarse brand of political discourse, and his ironclad principle that anyone who criticizes him, as Brzezinski did on her show on Thursday, can expect a gut punch in return.

— stephen collinson, CNN, "Delegitimizing his presidency, one tweet at a time", 30 June 2017
In a mortar or small chopper, grind together the garlic and chiles into a coarse paste. 2.

— nick kindelsperger, star-telegram.com, "‘Bangkok’ brings the flavors of the bustling city to life", 27 June 2017
The language shared by Redditors can sometimes be coarse.

— lara o’reilly, WSJ, "Reddit Looks to Lure Advertisers With Video and Redesign", 22 June 2017
In a mortar or small chopper, grind together the garlic and chiles into a coarse paste.

— nick kindelsperger, chicagotribune.com, "'Bangkok' cookbook avoids cliches, digs deep into city's food", 13 June 2017
Sure, Crosby dished out three assists in Pittsburgh’s lopsided 6-0 win to give the Penguins a 3-2 lead in their increasingly coarse series with the Predators.

— will graves, The Seattle Times, "Crosby doing it all again as Penguins close in on Cup", 9 June 2017
Having served in the army some 30 years ago, Keenan has, through all the coarse language and loaded buzzwords, experienced both sides of this bargain.

— chris payne, Billboard, "Governors Ball 2017: Tool's First NYC Show in Over a Decade Is a Noisy, Fest-Closing Success", 5 June 2017
For each sandwich, layer 1 slice toast with 2 slices cooked bacon, 2 slices tomatoes, 8 thin slices cucumber, 1 thin slice sweet onion, 1 medium lettuce leaf, and coarse salt and pepper to taste.

— atlanta life, ajc, "7 Day Menu Planner", 2 June 2017
Over the course of just two years, my thick, coarse curls had stiffened, weakened, and lost their shape—all because of a toxic mix of shame and white privilege.

— amber rambharose, Glamour, "I Ruined My Great Hair Trying to Have 'Good Hair'", 1 June 2017

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!

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

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. 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

COARSE Defined for English Language Learners

coarse

play

adjective

Definition of coarse for English Language Learners

: made up of large pieces : not fine
: having a rough quality
: rude or offensive

COARSE Defined for Kids

coarse

play

adjective \ˈkȯrs\

Definition of coarse for Students

coarser

;

coarsest

1 : having a harsh or rough quality coarse dry skin a coarse fabric
2 : made up of large particles coarse sand
3 : crude in taste, manners, or language
4 : of poor or ordinary quality

coarsely

adverb

coarseness

noun

Medical Dictionary

coarse

play

adjective \ˈkō(ə)rs, ˈkȯ(ə)rs\

Medical Definition of coarse

1: visible to the naked eye or by means of a compound microscope coarse particles
2of a tremor : of wide excursion a coarse tremor of the extremities
3: harsh, raucous, or rough in tone—used of some sounds heard in auscultation in pathological states of the chest coarse rales