rougher; roughest
Definition of rough
(Entry 1 of 4)
1a
: marked by inequalities, ridges, or projections on the surface : coarse
b
: covered with or made up of coarse and often shaggy hair
rough-coated collie
— compare smooth, wirehaired
c(1)
: having a broken, uneven, or bumpy surface
rough terrain
(2)
: difficult to travel through or penetrate : wild
into the rough woods— P. B. Shelley
2a
: turbulent, tempestuous
rough seas
b(1)
: characterized by harshness, violence, or force
(2)
: presenting a challenge : difficult
rough to deal with— R. M. McAlmon
3
: coarse or rugged in character or appearance: such as
a
: harsh to the ear
b
: crude in style or expression
c
: indelicate
d
: marked by a lack of refinement or grace : uncouth
4a
: crude, unfinished
rough carpentry
b
: executed or ventured hastily, tentatively, or imperfectly
a rough draft rough estimate
also
: approximate
a rough idea
rough
adverbDefinition of rough (Entry 2 of 4)
1
: roughly sense 1
2
British
: without usual conveniences
especially
: without proper shelter
become homeless and have to sleep rough — London Times
rough
nounDefinition of rough (Entry 3 of 4)
1
: uneven ground covered with high grass, brush, and stones
specifically
: such ground bordering a golf fairway
2
: the rugged or disagreeable side or aspect
hiking-camping admirers of nature in the rough— Eleanor Stirling
3a
: something in a crude, unfinished, or preliminary state
b
: broad outline : general terms
the question … has been discussed in rough — Manchester Guardian Weekly
c
: a hasty preliminary drawing or layout
4
: rowdy
rough
verb
roughed; roughing; roughs
Definition of rough (Entry 4 of 4)
1
: roughen
b
: to subject to unnecessary and intentional violence in a sport
a penalty for roughing the passer
c
: shell sense 3
—used with up was roughed up for six runs
3
: to calk or otherwise roughen (a horse's shoes) to prevent slipping
4a
: to shape, make, or dress in a rough or preliminary way
b
: to indicate the chief lines of
rough out the structure of a building
rough it
: to live under harsh or primitive conditions
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for rough
The first known use of rough was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century