crude

\ 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 coronavirus outbreak contributed to a sharp drop in crude prices. — Benoit Faucon, WSJ, "Oil Prices Slide Into Bear Market on Coronavirus Concern," 3 Feb. 2020 West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices topped $58 per barrel after OPEC and its partners reportedly agreed in principle to cut oil production by another 500,000 barrels per day in the first quarter of 2020. — Benzinga, Detroit Free Press, "Trade seesaw continues, but employment report provides good news," 8 Dec. 2019 The third quarter was a difficult period for energy producers, with crude prices sinking over worries about the economic impact of the U.S.-China trade war while natural gas markets are enduring a long stretch of oversupply. — Kelly Gilblom, chicagotribune.com, "Shell beats profit estimates, warns of slower share buyback," 12 Nov. 2019 The sector is expected to report a nearly 10% drop in revenue for the third quarter due to a 19% decline in crude oil prices from a year ago, according to Credit Suisse analyst Jonathan Golub. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Asian stocks slip as tensions flare before US-China talks," 8 Oct. 2019 Airlines, cruise lines, and other companies in fuel-dependent industries dragged US stocks lower Monday after an attack on Saudi Arabia’s biggest oil-processing facility sent crude prices soaring. — BostonGlobe.com, "US stocks slip as spike in crude oil rattles market - The Boston Globe," 17 Sep. 2019 Airlines, cruise lines and other companies in fuel-dependent industries dragged U.S. stocks lower Monday after an attack on Saudi Arabia’s biggest oil processing facility sent crude prices soaring. — Stan Choe And Alex Veiga, SFChronicle.com, "US stocks close lower as spike in crude oil rattles market," 16 Sep. 2019 Energy stocks headed lower along with crude oil prices. — Alex Veiga, The Denver Post, "Stocks fall sharply as U.S.-China trade war escalates," 23 Aug. 2019 The biggest factor is crude oil prices, which recently have tracked upward as political tensions have increased between the United States and Iran. — Andrew J. Tobias, cleveland.com, "Ohio’s higher gas tax set to take effect Monday," 26 June 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Pdvsa’s opening of exports — oil cargoes worth millions of dollars — to anyone who can bypass sanctions to line up a vessel, insurance and a customer for the crude has even created a small cottage industry among Venezuela’s elite. — Anatoly Kurmanaev, New York Times, "To Survive, Venezuela’s Leader Gives Up Decades of Control Over Oil," 8 Feb. 2020 China’s benchmark iron ore contract declined by its daily limit of 8%, while copper, crude and palm oil also sank by the maximum allowed. — Sofia Horta E Costa And Ken Wang, Time, "Chinese Stocks Plunge 9% Amid Coronavirus Outbreak as Markets Reopen After Holiday," 3 Feb. 2020 China’s benchmark iron ore contract fell by its daily limit of 8%, while copper, crude and palm oil also sank by the maximum allowed. — Fortune, "Chinese markets plummet amid coronavirus spread in first trading since New Year break," 3 Feb. 2020 Crews are using 200 feet of boom to collect crude and debris from the water. — Gwendolyn Wu, Houston Chronicle, "630 gallons of diesel fuel spilled in Tabbs Bay," 2 Feb. 2020 For malware using such a crude and outdated infection method, Shlayer remains surprisingly prolific. — Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, "Mac users are getting bombarded by laughably unsophisticated malware," 23 Jan. 2020 Meanwhile, in the oil market, Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate pulled back after spiking more than 3 percent in the hours after the missile attacks. — Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, "Stocks rebound after Trump addresses nation on tensions with Iran," 8 Jan. 2020 The Arab oil embargo also began in October, driving crude and gasoline prices higher. — Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, "Stocks shrug off Trump's impeachment, but could this be different from Clinton, Nixon sagas?," 20 Dec. 2019 Trump, with the help of Rudy Giuliani and others, attempted to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in military assistance to Ukraine, an ally under assault from Russia, as a way to extract a crude and distinctly personal political favor. — David Remnick, The New Yorker, "Trump’s Impeachment and “Impeachment Lite”," 19 Dec. 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.