rougher; roughest
1
a
: 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 …—
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Percy Bysshe Shelley2
a
: turbulent, tempestuous
rough seas
b(1)
: characterized by harshness, violence, or force
rough treatment
rough sports
grew up in a rough area
These dishes can't withstand rough handling.
Don't be so rough on them for the mistake. [=don't criticize or punish them so harshly]
(2)
: presenting a challenge : difficult
… rough to deal with …—Robert McAlmon
Robert McAlmonOur ancestors had it rough [=had a difficult existence] compared to us.
He's going through a rough time. [=his life has been difficult lately]
3
: coarse or rugged in character or appearance: such as
a
: harsh to the ear
a rough voice
b
: crude in style or expression
c
d
: marked by a lack of refinement or grace : uncouth
a rough character
4
a
: crude, unfinished
rough carpentry
b
: executed or ventured hastily, tentatively, or imperfectly
a rough draft
rough estimate
also
: approximate
a rough idea
The plan has some rough edges. [=has some aspects that need to be changed or finished]
The design is still a bit rough around the edges. [=the design needs refinement]
1
2
British
: without usual conveniences
especially
: without proper shelter
… become homeless and have to sleep rough … —London Times
London Times 1
: uneven ground covered with high grass, brush, and stones
specifically
: such ground bordering a golf fairway
2
: the rugged, untouched, or disagreeable side or aspect
… hiking-camping admirers of nature in the rough …—Eleanor Stirling
Eleanor Stirling3
a
: something in a crude, unfinished, or preliminary state
b
: broad outline : general terms
The question … has been discussed in rough …—Manchester Guardian Weekly
Manchester Guardian Weekly
c
: a hasty preliminary drawing or layout
They showed us some roughs of the new building
4
informal + old-fashioned
: rowdy
a gang of roughs
roughed; roughing; roughs
1
: roughen
Rough the edges of the glass.
2
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
4
a
: to shape, make, or dress in a rough or preliminary way
—usually used with in or out
roughed in the frame of the new door
b
: to indicate the chief lines of
—usually used with out
rough out the structure of a building
rougher
noun
Examples of rough in a Sentence
Adjective
He trimmed the rough edge of the paper.
We traveled over rough dirt roads.
They hiked through rough terrain.
We were a bit shaken from the plane's rough landing.
He went through a rough patch after his divorce.
They've hit a few rough spots in their marriage.
Despite a rough start, the team won more games this season than last.
Adverb
The engine is running a little rough.
Life has been treating her pretty rough.
He plays rough with the dog.
people living rough on the streets
Noun
He hit his drive into the rough.
He showed me a few roughs of the new building.
Verb
He was called for roughing the kicker.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Everyone in the square had been keeping a rough count as the councilor approached the bottom of the list.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Damon Wise, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
The term 'roughneck' conjures up images of rough-looking, greasy oilfield workers, sort of an iconic visual depiction, like those of cowboys of the old West.
—Matt Randolph, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
His opening drive found the primary rough, and his second shot landed in a hazard, forcing a drop, only to find the hazard again.
—Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025
Fehérváry was assessed a double-minor for roughing, while Greig was only given a two-minute minor penalty for the same infraction.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Other government notices mentioned the size and rough location of the construction.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Everyone in the square had been keeping a rough count as the councilor approached the bottom of the list.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Adverb
In the meantime, though, a new character is introduced, a rough-looking butcher with a motorbike and sidecar whose presence Andor’s mother seems to resent and accept in bafflingly equal measures.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
The term 'roughneck' conjures up images of rough-looking, greasy oilfield workers, sort of an iconic visual depiction, like those of cowboys of the old West.
—Matt Randolph, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Noun
On Thursday, after a wayward drive landed in the left rough on the par-4 eighth hole, Rahm’s mood soured.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
His opening drive found the primary rough, and his second shot landed in a hazard, forcing a drop, only to find the hazard again.
—Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
Allen, who is 6 foot 5 and 237 pounds, jerked his head back in an effort to draw a roughing penalty on Bolton.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025
Fehérváry was assessed a double-minor for roughing, while Greig was only given a two-minute minor penalty for the same infraction.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough
Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rough. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rough
1 of 4 adjective1
a
: having an uneven surface : not smooth
b
: covered with or made up of coarse and often shaggy hair or bristles
a rough-coated terrier
2
a
: not calm
rough seas
b
: being harsh or violent
rough treatment
c
: difficult to take or deal with
we've had some rough times
3
a
: harsh to the ear
b
: coarse or rugged in nature or look
4
: not complete or exact
a rough draft
rough estimate
rough
2 of 4 noun1
: uneven ground covered with high grass, brush, and stones
2
: the rugged or unpleasant part of something
nature in the rough
3
: something in a crude or unfinished state
also
: such a state
a diamond in the rough
rough
3 of 4 adverb
: in a rough way : not smoothly
the engine idled rough, but ran smoothly at high speed
Medical Definition
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