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—
P. B. Shelley
P. B. Shelley2
a
: turbulent, tempestuous
rough seas
b(1)
: characterized by harshness, violence, or force
(2)
: presenting a challenge : difficult
rough to deal with—R. M. McAlmon
R. M. McAlmon3
: coarse or rugged in character or appearance: such as
a
: harsh to the ear
b
: crude in style or expression
c
d
: marked by a lack of refinement or grace : uncouth
4
a
: crude, unfinished
rough carpentry
b
: executed or ventured hastily, tentatively, or imperfectly
a rough draft
rough estimate
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 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
4
: rowdy
roughed; roughing; roughs
1
: roughen
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
b
: to indicate the chief lines of
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
David O'Brien, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman had a rough outing against the New York Yankees on Sunday in the first game of a doubleheader.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Fred A. Bernstein, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2022
What is verifiably true is that, unlike the hulking, rough-faced cast iron we’re used to today, these elder vessels are almost unbearably wonderful, made from a thinner cast and consequently lighter weight, with surfaces that are satin smooth.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2021
Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2024
There were a number of factors for the high scores, including tough pin placements and thick rough that was soaked during a storm Monday that overwhelmed parts of the city.
—Bernie Wilson, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2024
Dj Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
The desert heat is real, and if you’re not used to roughing it, sleeping in a tent might come with a little bit of a learning curve.
—Teaghan Skulszki, Outside Online, 10 Apr. 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
Oz has had 30 (homers) and 100 (RBIs) before and can have some rough patches and still has a way of coming out of it.
—David O'Brien, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman had a rough outing against the New York Yankees on Sunday in the first game of a doubleheader.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Adverb
His own house in Fire Island Pines, built in 1961, was a single rectangle of about 600 square feet constructed from rough-cut cedar.
—Fred A. Bernstein, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2022
What is verifiably true is that, unlike the hulking, rough-faced cast iron we’re used to today, these elder vessels are almost unbearably wonderful, made from a thinner cast and consequently lighter weight, with surfaces that are satin smooth.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2021
Noun
They’re cut to fit from a single rough, one at a time.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2024
There were a number of factors for the high scores, including tough pin placements and thick rough that was soaked during a storm Monday that overwhelmed parts of the city.
—Bernie Wilson, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2024
Verb
The game itself featured 18 fighting major penalties and 144 minutes in penalties, including just a double-minor for roughing against McCarty.
—Dj Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
The desert heat is real, and if you’re not used to roughing it, sleeping in a tent might come with a little bit of a learning curve.
—Teaghan Skulszki, Outside Online, 10 Apr. 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 10 May. 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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