raw

adjective

\ ˈrȯ

rawer\ ˈrȯ(-ə)r

\; rawest\ ˈrȯ-əst

Definition of raw

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : not cooked

2a(1) : being in or nearly in the natural state : not processed or purified raw fibers raw sewage

(2) : not diluted or blended raw spirits

b : unprepared or imperfectly prepared for use

c : not being in polished, finished, or processed form raw data a raw draft of a thesis

3a(1) : having the surface abraded or chafed

(2) : very irritated a raw sore throat

b : lacking covering : naked

c : not protected : susceptible to hurt raw emotions

4a : lacking experience or understanding : green a raw recruit

b(1) : marked by absence of refinements

(2) : vulgar, coarse raw language

c : not tempered : unbridled raw power

5 : disagreeably damp or cold a raw winter day

raw

noun

Definition of raw (Entry 2 of 2)

: a raw place or state

in the raw

1 : in a natural, unrefined, or crude state

2 : naked slept in the raw

Other Words from raw Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about raw

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for raw

Synonyms: Adjective

uncooked

Synonyms: Noun

altogether, bareness, birthday suit, bottomlessness, buff, nakedness, nude, nudity

Antonyms: Adjective

cooked

Choose the Right Synonym for raw

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 raw in a Sentence

Adjective

He entered the raw data into a spreadsheet. The shoes rubbed my heels raw. His throat was raw from the cold air.

Noun

a secluded swimming hole where we could swim in the raw

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Locked inside are lobes of fruit that have the look and texture of foie gras and are usually eaten raw, but can also be mixed with rice or added to pastries. — David Pierson, latimes.com, "Decades ago, he stole a tree branch. Now he is the Durian King," 4 July 2019 Locked inside are lobes of fruit that have the look and texture of foie gras and are usually eaten raw, but can also be mixed with rice or added to pastries. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column One: Decades ago, he stole a tree branch. Now he is the Durian King," 4 July 2019 Produce stored under raw seafood and beef in cooler. — Ebony Day, azcentral, "Rusty hooks used to hang ducks among violations found in restaurant inspections," 3 July 2019 People with vibriosis become infected either by consuming raw or undercooked seafood or by exposing an open wound to seawater. — Susan Scutti, CNN, "Maryland boy victim of flesh-eating bacteria after a swim off the coast of Maryland," 3 July 2019 The project incorporated original brick, orange clay tile, raw concrete and terrazzo flooring materials with new glazing complementary wood, steel and felt. — Katherine Feser, Houston Chronicle, "MaRS architectural design studio recognized for two commercial projects," 3 July 2019 But more often, the bacteria are ingested in raw or undercooked seafood, causing diarrhea. — NBC News, "What to know about flesh-eating bacteria infections," 1 July 2019 To lower one’s chances of contracting vibriosis, the CDC recommends not eating raw or undercooked shellfish and covering open wounds with waterproof bandages. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "Warming Waters May Be Driving Flesh-Eating Bacteria to East Coast Beaches," 21 June 2019 The most common cause of infection is eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters. — Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "Flesh-eating bacteria becoming more common in Delaware Bay due to climate change, study finds," 18 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Cartons of raw shelled eggs and tofu at improper temperature. — Ryan Santistevan, azcentral, "Restaurant inspections: Handwashing a problem at six eateries," 9 May 2018 The Peanut Barn buys raw shelled peanuts to cook and flavor or grind into paste for its handcrafted and popular Natural Peanut Butter. — Robert Anglen, azcentral, "'Buy local' food programs deceive consumers and are rarely enforced, a USA TODAY Network investigation finds," 2 Mar. 2018 Or the movie that’s making viewers pass out, like that cannibal horror film Raw. — Kenzie Bryant, Vanities, "Jennifer Lawrence’s Boyfriend, Darron Aronofsky, Doesn’t Understand Her Housewives Obsession," 9 Aug. 2017 Or the movie that’s making viewers pass out, like that cannibal horror film Raw. — Kenzie Bryant, vanityfair.com, "Jennifer Lawrence’s Boyfriend, Darren Aronofsky, Doesn’t Understand Her Housewives Obsession," 9 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'raw.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.