crude

1 of 2

adjective

ˈkrüd 

cruder; crudest

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

crudely adverb

crudeness noun

crude

2 of 2

noun

: a substance in its natural unprocessed state

especially : unrefined petroleum

Synonyms of crude

Adjective

• raw
• natural
• native
• unrefined

Choose the Right Synonym for crude

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

His comments come amid ongoing uncertainty over crude supply from the oil-rich Middle East as the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026

Venezuela’s crude production rose by 14% in March to 980,000 barrels per day, according to the agency’s monthly oil market report, an increase of 120,000 barrels per day compared with February. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026

Noun

The United States eased some restrictions on sales of Russian crude imposed over its war against Ukraine, allowing countries to purchase oil that was already at sea until April 11. —Brian Dakss, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

Once those two deliveries are completed, the world will have exhausted its supply of pre-war crude and fuel. —Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English, from Latin crudus raw, crude, undigested — more at raw

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

circa 1904, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing crude

• crude death rate

Rhymes for crude

• blued
• booed
• brewed
• brood
• chewed
• cooed
• cued
• dude
• feud
• food
• glued
• gude

Kids Definition

crude

1 of 2 adjective

ˈkrüd 

cruder; crudest

1

: being in a natural state and not changed by cooking or refining : raw

crude oil

2

: not having or showing good manners : vulgar

3

: planned or done in a rough or unskilled way

a crude drawing

crudely adverb

crudeness noun

crude

2 of 2 noun

: crude oil