Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

diamond in the rough

noun phrase

Definition of diamond in the rough 

: one having exceptional qualities or potential but lacking refinement or polish

First Known Use of diamond in the rough

1785, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about diamond in the rough

Share diamond in the rough

Resources for diamond in the rough

Cite Time Traveler Time Traveler! Explore the year a word first appeared

Dictionary Entries near diamond in the rough

diamond hitch

diamondiferous

diamond indentor

diamond in the rough

diamondize

diamond jubilee

diamond knot

Statistics for diamond in the rough

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for diamond in the rough

The first known use of diamond in the rough was in 1785

See more words from the same year

Comments on diamond in the rough

What made you want to look up diamond in the rough? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

milieu

the setting in which something occurs

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Musical Words Quiz

  • gramophone
  • Which word describes a musical performance marked by the absence of instrumental accompaniment?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games