crude

adjective

\ ˈkrüd

cruder; crudest

Definition of crude

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : marked by the primitive, gross, or elemental or by uncultivated simplicity or vulgarity a crude stereotype crude tools crude jokes

2 : existing in a natural state and unaltered by cooking or processing crude oil crude ore

3 : rough or inexpert in plan or execution a crude shelter

4 : lacking a covering, glossing, or concealing element : obvious crude facts

5 : tabulated without being broken down into classes the crude death rate

6 archaic : unripe, immature

crude

noun

Definition of crude (Entry 2 of 2)

: a substance in its natural unprocessed state especially : unrefined petroleum

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

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Synonyms & Antonyms for crude

Synonyms: Adjective

native, natural, raw, rude, undressed, unprocessed, unrefined, untreated

Antonyms: Adjective

dressed, processed, refined, treated

Choose the Right Synonym for crude

Adjective

rude, rough, crude, raw mean lacking in social refinement. rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy. rude behavior rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness. rough manners crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive. a crude joke raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished. turning raw youths into polished performers

Examples of crude in a Sentence

Adjective

They built a crude shelter out of branches. a crude summary of the country's history She first described the procedure in crude terms, and then went into more detail.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The order is intended to speed up development of the controversial pipeline, which would ship crude oil from tar sands in western Canada to the U.S. Gulf Coast. — Matthew Daly, The Seattle Times, "Trump issues new permit for stalled Keystone XL pipeline," 29 Mar. 2019 The ship is coming in empty and will load up on crude oil to bring to the global market. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "America's New Energy Coast," 19 Mar. 2019 That all looked to be changing this summer as crude oil rose to its highest level since 2014, and experts began to brace consumers for rising airfares next year. — Kristen Leigh Painter, Condé Nast Traveler, "How Air Travel Will Change in 2019," 13 Dec. 2018 Trump on Wednesday morning tweeted that the price of crude oil, which is currently at about $54 a barrel, is getting lower, down from $82 in September. — Emily Stewart, Vox, "Trump thanks Saudi Arabia for low oil prices after letting it off the hook for Khashoggi murder," 21 Nov. 2018 The one thing China, the world's top oil importer, does not want to see happen is any military action driving up the price of crude oil. — Jon Gambrell, Fox News, "Iran looks warily to China for help as US sanctions resume," 12 Sep. 2018 The pipeline would ship crude oil from the tar sands of western Canada to U.S. refineries along the Gulf of Mexico. — Matthew Daly, The Seattle Times, "Trump wields presidential power on pipeline, energy projects," 14 Apr. 2019 Latest numbers from the Energy Information Administration show production in the region has grown to nearly 3.5 million barrels a day, over a third of the country’s crude oil output. — Madeleine Rivera, Fox News, "West Texas oil boom hampered by infrastructure woes," 12 Sep. 2018 Capuano's agency forecast that US crude output will average 10.8 million barrels a day for all of 2018 and 11.8 million barrels a day in 2019. — David Koenig, The Christian Science Monitor, "US expected to surpass Saudi Arabia, Russia as world's top oil producer," 12 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Companies are clamoring for a bigger piece of the prolific oil field that has lifted U.S. crude production to records. — Christopher M. Matthews, WSJ, "Rivals Vie for Mastery Over America’s Hottest Oil Field," 6 May 2019 Brent crude, used to price international oils, added 87 cents to $71.70 per barrel in London. — Joe Mcdonald, The Seattle Times, "Global stocks rise after China reports stronger exports," 12 Apr. 2019 Eight nations were granted exemptions, which helped fuel 4Q’s crude-price slump. — Biman Mukherji, WSJ, "Will US Renew Sanction Waivers on Iranian Oil?," 1 Apr. 2019 Credit Suisse updated its price forecasts on Friday as well, to an average of $70 for Brent crude. — David Z. Morris, Fortune, "The Attack on Syria Could Upend Long-Quiet Oil Markets," 14 Apr. 2018 Brent crude, the international price gauge, has rallied more than 30% this year on production cuts by major suppliers. — Georgi Kantchev, WSJ, "Hedge Fund Slammed by Oil Looks to Take Riskier Bets," 17 Apr. 2019 Brent crude, the international standard, picked up 9 cents to $67.52 per barrel. — Elaine Kurtenbach, The Seattle Times, "Asian shares mixed following rebound on Wall Street," 26 Mar. 2019 Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, topped $80 a barrel in mid-May, the highest level since November 2014. — Bloomberg, Fortune, "U.S. Backs Off Trump's Tweet on Saudis Helping Lower Oil Price," 1 July 2018 Futures for May delivery on West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. crude benchmark, fell 0.4% to $59.98 a barrel. — Sarah Mcfarlane, WSJ, "Oil Prices Slip After Hitting 2019 High," 21 Mar. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crude.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.