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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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 opening hours, though, showcase the ultimate incubator of crude creativity. — Bryce Miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Cover your ears: Over-the-Line evolves, but the raunchy team names remain," 14 July 2018 After the crude fashion equivalent of throwing up the middle finger? — James Hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: GOP candidates caught in a bind on Medicaid," 13 July 2018 After the crude fashion equivalent of throwing up the middle finger? — Robin Givhan, Houston Chronicle, "Nothing else Melania Trump wears will ever matter again," 13 July 2018 Is there a moral claim in Trump’s demand for reciprocity, even if his tactics and tweets can sometimes be crude? — The Christian Science Monitor, "Trump’s demand for reciprocity with allies," 12 July 2018 The narration seems deliberately crude and jerky, as if the nihilism of the tale had infected its telling, and there's an unfortunate late turn into science fiction spoofiness. — Patrick Friel, Chicago Reader, "Film / Music / Old Movies to Watch Now / On Video / Small Screen Urgh! A Music War and other punk and postpunk new wave cinema," 10 July 2018 The Eagle Ford lately has been overshadowed by the Permian Basin, a particularly prolific shale play in West Texas that accounts for more than half the nation’s active oil drilling rigs and nearly one-third of its crude production. — Rye Druzin, San Antonio Express-News, "Austin-based oil company buys more Eagle Ford Shale acreage," 6 July 2018 Despite some progress, the company's ads system still uses crude keyword cues, without understanding the broader context of what is said. — Sarah Frier, Anchorage Daily News, "Facebook’s algorithm blocks ads for Bush’s beans, singers named Clinton," 3 July 2018 The pact covers the government forces, troops belonging to Machar’s Sudan’s People Liberation Movement In Opposition and other rebel groups in the country with sub-Saharan Africa’s third-biggest crude reserves. — Okech Francis, Bloomberg.com, "South Sudan’s Warring Sides Agree to Cease-Fire in New Peace Bid," 28 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Global oil prices have risen on the expectation that the United States will push its allies to stop importing Iranian crude oil, further tightening the world energy supplies. — Matthew Lee, The Seattle Times, "Pompeo talks tough on Iran while visiting the Emirates," 10 July 2018 Meanwhile, the price of a barrel of crude oil recently hit $72.94, up 62% in just one year. — Eric Newcomer, latimes.com, "Why Silicon Valley doesn't mind rising gas prices," 6 July 2018 Light, sweet crude for August delivery fell 5 cents, or 0.1%, to $70.33 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. — David Hodari, WSJ, "Oil Prices Mixed On Libya Supply, Trade Concerns," 12 July 2018 The price of Brent crude, the international benchmark, has risen more than 20 percent so far this year, to around $78 a barrel. — Stanley Reed, New York Times, "Saudi Arabia Promised More Oil. So Why Are Prices Rising?," 4 July 2018 But Tyner explained the lure of higher prices and more profits could prompt some OPEC members and other producers to break ranks and increase the supply of crude, which could help temper prices. — Tim Evans, Indianapolis Star, "Pain at the pump: Purdue prof says Hoosiers to pay highest gas prices in at least 4 years," 11 May 2018 Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, increased 3.5 percent in April to $71.04 a barrel, hitting its highest rate since late 2014. — Zeeshan Aleem, Vox, "You’re going to pay a lot more at the gas station if Trump kills the Iran deal," 4 May 2018 Brent crude for June delivery fell about 69 cents at the time of the tweet, before closing 28 cents higher at $74.06 a barrel in London. — Kevin Crowley, Bloomberg.com, "Oil Shrugs Off Trump Tweet to Rise for a Second Straight Week," 20 Apr. 2018 The Energy Department projects that the recent surge will hold the price of Brent crude, the global benchmark, to $60 a barrel in 2018 and $61 a barrel in 2019 — a modest increase from $54 last year. — Author: Clifford Krauss, Anchorage Daily News, "Oil price boom gives the U.S. a new edge in energy and diplomacy," 29 Jan. 2018

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.