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
As luck would have it, the Red Sox wound up finding a diamond in the rough mere hours after dealing Teel away.
—
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 25 May 2025
Since the trade, Gilgeous-Alexander has been a diamond in the rough, and he will soon be named first-team All-NBA a third straight year.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025
Colorado, hoping for a diamond in the rough, selected him with the 1,143rd overall pick.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 18 May 2025
Both albums are fantastic, but this one is the true diamond in the rough for my money.
—Liza Lentini, SPIN, 21 Feb. 2025
The 25-year-old has proven to be a diamond in the rough for the Jets, who would probably like to keep their 2021 fifth-round pick after his breakout campaign in 2024.
—James Boyd, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
For years, dating in San Diego felt like trying to find a diamond in the rough.
—Meredith Corbin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Only later, after learning that the architect was somewhat revered in his homeland, does Van Buren realize that he’s stumbled on a diamond in the rough.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
Rare is the example in Timberwolves lore of the franchise discovering a diamond in the rough that no other team saw and polishing that diamond into the type of gem that belongs in a crown.
—Anthony Slater, The Athletic, 24 Apr. 2024
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Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 25 May 2025
Since the trade, Gilgeous-Alexander has been a diamond in the rough, and he will soon be named first-team All-NBA a third straight year.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025
Colorado, hoping for a diamond in the rough, selected him with the 1,143rd overall pick.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 18 May 2025
Both albums are fantastic, but this one is the true diamond in the rough for my money.
—Liza Lentini, SPIN, 21 Feb. 2025
The 25-year-old has proven to be a diamond in the rough for the Jets, who would probably like to keep their 2021 fifth-round pick after his breakout campaign in 2024.
—James Boyd, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
For years, dating in San Diego felt like trying to find a diamond in the rough.
—Meredith Corbin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Only later, after learning that the architect was somewhat revered in his homeland, does Van Buren realize that he’s stumbled on a diamond in the rough.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
Rare is the example in Timberwolves lore of the franchise discovering a diamond in the rough that no other team saw and polishing that diamond into the type of gem that belongs in a crown.
—Anthony Slater, The Athletic, 24 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Diamond in the rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diamond%20in%20the%20rough. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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