raw

adjective \ ˈrȯ \

Updated on: 13 May 2018

Definition of raw

rawer play \ˈrȯ(-ə)r\; rawest play \ˈrȯ-əst\

1 : not cooked

2 a (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

3 a (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

4 a : 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

—

rawly

adverb

—

rawness

noun

See raw defined for English-language learners

See raw defined for kids

Examples of raw in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of raw from the Web

In a performance of raw talent and speed, Justify did something that hadn’t been done since 1882 in winning the 144th Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

— john cherwa, latimes.com, "Justify wins the 144th Kentucky Derby over a sloppy track," 5 May 2018
There were plenty of moments when the raw talent of the Sixers young core prevailed.

— david murphy, Philly.com, "After Game 1, Sixers need fast growth from Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons | David Murphy," 1 May 2018
The Eagles hosted Mailata, 20, in Philadelphia and were likely impressed by his raw talent, which included a 40-yard dash time of 5.12 seconds (good enough for seventh best among tackles in the NFL combine in February).

— scott gleeson, USA TODAY, "Eagles take Jordan Mailata, a rugby star with no football experience, in NFL draft," 28 Apr. 2018
Teammate Lee McCarty, now the mayor of Wilsonville, Ala., and a Battle supporter, says Battle won that starting spot with hard work more than raw talent.

— lee roop, AL.com, "Tommy Battle runs for governor saying he'll sell Alabama as 'a smart place'," 26 Apr. 2018
But the receivers have enough as far as numbers, experience and raw talent.

— chris perkins, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Perkins: Dolphins don't need to bother drafting a receiver, they need to get more out of Parker | Analysis," 11 Apr. 2018
Jeremy Jeffress got a big out to finish the seventh inning, so Counsell called on rookie right-hander Taylor Williams, whose raw talent currently eclipses his experience level.

— tom haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Failure to protect leads, heavy usage have put Brewers' bullpen in double jeopardy," 11 Apr. 2018
Marmion senior Brandon McPherson relied on raw talent early in his career.

— paul johnson, Aurora Beacon-News, "Teachable moments: Work with pitching coach pays for Marmion senior Brandon McPherson," 3 Apr. 2018
In the young men, Houser saw raw talent, drive and enthusiasm.

— allie torgan, CNN, "Out of juvenile detention, they're serving meals instead of time," 29 Mar. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of raw

Middle English, from Old English hrēaw; akin to Old High German hrō raw, Latin crudus raw, cruor blood, Greek kreas flesh

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

raw Synonyms

Phrases

wet behind the ears;

Synonym Discussion of raw

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

raw

noun

Definition of raw

: a raw place or state

— in the raw

1 : in a natural, unrefined, or crude state

2 : naked

slept in the raw

See raw defined for English-language learners

Examples of raw in a Sentence

a secluded swimming hole where we could swim in the raw

Recent Examples of raw from the Web

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

First Known Use of raw

1823

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

raw Synonyms

Synonyms

altogether, bareness, buff, nakedness, nude, nudity;

Related Words

toplessness;

naturism, nudism;

RAW Defined for English Language Learners

raw

adjective

Definition of raw for English Language Learners

: not cooked
: in a natural state : not treated or prepared
: not yet organized or changed in any way

RAW Defined for Kids

raw

adjective \ ˈrȯ \

Definition of raw for Students

rawer; rawest

1 : not cooked

raw fish

2 : having the skin scraped or roughened

She had raw red hands.

3 : being in or nearly in the natural state : not treated or prepared

raw sewage

4 : not trained or experienced

raw recruits

5 : unpleasantly damp or cold

a raw day

6 : lacking a normal or usual finish

the raw edge of a seam

—

rawness

noun

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raw

Definition of raw

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