coarse

adjective

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\ 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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Synonyms & Antonyms for coarse

Synonyms

Antonyms

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 Cornmeal is too coarse to absorb, which helps the muffins maintain high moisture content. — Sara Tane, Good Housekeeping, "2021 Is the Year of the English Muffin," 15 Mar. 2021 The dual-sided comb has both fine and coarse teeth to stimulate growth. — Chris Hachey, BGR, "Best Beard Grooming Kit," 24 Mar. 2021 Higher temperature settings are necessary to set curls in thick, coarse hair. — Jennifer Manfrin, chicagotribune.com, "How to curl hair with a flat iron," 18 Mar. 2021 Transfer liver mixture to a food processor and pulse until a coarse purée forms. — Gabriella Gershenson, WSJ, "Right-Now Recipes and Entertaining Tips From TikTok’s ‘Modern Mensch’," 18 Mar. 2021 Using a food processor fitted with a coarse shredding disk, grate the potatoes and onions. — Washington Post, "Crisp, golden potato kugel can be the highlight of your Passover table, or any other meal," 16 Mar. 2021 Place cloves in a food processor and pulse into a coarse purée, or using a knife, smash and mince very finely. — Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, "It’s a great time to revisit the classic ’80s dish Chicken Marbella," 19 Feb. 2021 Add the butter and toss to coat with the flour, then use your fingertips to work it into a coarse meal. — Star Tribune, "Recipe: Spotted Dog (Rich Soda Bread)," 10 Mar. 2021 Disposable masks can be a little more coarse, but they can also be discarded and replaced easily. — Michael Pollick, chicagotribune.com, "The best face mask," 22 Jan. 2021

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.