diamond in the rough
noun phrase
: one having exceptional qualities or potential but lacking refinement or polish
Examples of diamond in the rough in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nacua was a diamond in the rough when the Rams drafted him in the fifth round in 2023, but that diamond is shining bright in Los Angeles.
—
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Then again, no one could've seen Purdy coming as a huge diamond in the rough just when the team badly needed one under center.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
Relay is the diamond in the rough that film fans are looking for this time of year.
—Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
The 6-foot-4 Shields is considered a diamond in the rough.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 31 July 2025
Not only is the film amateurish — the crew forgot to bring the box of lenses, so the cinematographer was forced to shoot with the wrong equipment — Sandler’s performance is hardly a diamond in the rough.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 30 July 2025
Ethan has been a diamond in the rough, so to speak.
—Caroline Beck, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
The experience with Duncan Robinson showed that with a properly motivated player, the Heat’s developmental program could turn a diamond in the rough into a showpiece.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 2 July 2025
But the personnel department — shout out to them — kind of found a diamond in the rough.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
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Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Then again, no one could've seen Purdy coming as a huge diamond in the rough just when the team badly needed one under center.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
Relay is the diamond in the rough that film fans are looking for this time of year.
—Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
The 6-foot-4 Shields is considered a diamond in the rough.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 31 July 2025
Not only is the film amateurish — the crew forgot to bring the box of lenses, so the cinematographer was forced to shoot with the wrong equipment — Sandler’s performance is hardly a diamond in the rough.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 30 July 2025
Ethan has been a diamond in the rough, so to speak.
—Caroline Beck, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
The experience with Duncan Robinson showed that with a properly motivated player, the Heat’s developmental program could turn a diamond in the rough into a showpiece.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 2 July 2025
But the personnel department — shout out to them — kind of found a diamond in the rough.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diamond in the rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diamond%20in%20the%20rough. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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