raw

1 of 2

adjective

rawer ˈrȯ(-ə)r How to pronounce raw (audio) ; rawest ˈrȯ-əst How to pronounce raw (audio)
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

raw

2 of 2

noun

: a raw place or state
Phrases
in the raw
1
: in a natural, unrefined, or crude state
2
: naked
slept in the raw
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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
In its raw form, the rare, bluish-grey metal is predominantly sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where miners work in perilous conditions. Sabrina Weiss, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024 After all, the United States is blessed with raw talent, a restless drive to innovate, and a fiercely competitive spirit. Pat Gelsinger, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024 Toss everything in a bowl with some scallions, sesame seeds, and a raw egg yolk for extra gooeyness and protein, inspired by this legend. Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 19 Mar. 2024 Whether he’s immersed in the eloquence of a classical cello piece or unleashing the raw energy of heavy metal on his drumset, his performances resonate with an undeniable connection to the music. Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024 At the Montana restaurant, the morels were served lightly cooked or raw. Jen Christensen, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 The raw version of pastrami isn’t technically pastrami. Jack Hennessy, Field & Stream, 13 Mar. 2024 There was really an unhinged raw live feeling on Romantic and an evolved slickness on Patience. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2024 In October, Apollo released Live for Me, a sparse and raw EP that was, in a way, an exercise in further discomfort. Cat Cardenas, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2024
Noun
So, here’s NFL moneyball in the raw. Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2022 Raw beef stored above raw shelled eggs, crab and shrimp. Ebony Day, azcentral, 4 Mar. 2020 Several open pans of raw shelled eggs stored directly above ready-to-eat leafy greens in cooler. Ebony Day, azcentral, 15 Jan. 2020 Employee cracked a raw shelled egg with gloved hands then handled a clean plate and kitchen utensils without washing hands between tasks. Ebony Day, azcentral, 25 Dec. 2019 Tim RoneyGetty Images Her 1995 raw, ragey, best-selling album, Jagged Little Pill, spoke to a generation—and inspired a musical of the same name, opening on Broadway this month. Alanis Morissette, Marie Claire, 8 Nov. 2019 Cooked rice, dosa batter, Biryani, sauces, chicken, shredded cabbage, milk, yogurt and raw shelled eggs not kept cold enough. Ebony Day, azcentral, 19 June 2019 Cartons of raw shelled eggs and tofu at improper temperature. Ryan Santistevan, azcentral, 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, 2 Mar. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'raw.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of raw was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near raw

Cite this Entry

“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raw. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

raw

1 of 2 adjective
rawer ˈrȯ(-ə)r How to pronounce raw (audio) ; rawest ˈrȯ-əst How to pronounce raw (audio)
1
: not cooked
a raw carrot
2
a
: being in or nearly in the natural state : not processed or purified
raw milk
raw sewage
b
: not in a finished, organized, or polished form
the raw edge of a seam
raw data
3
a
: having the surface scraped or roughened
raw red hands
b
: very sore or irritated
a raw throat
4
: not trained or experienced
a raw recruit
5
: unpleasantly damp or cold
a raw wind
rawly adverb
rawness noun

raw

2 of 2 noun
: a raw place or state

More from Merriam-Webster on raw

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