rough

¹rough

adj \ˈrəf\

rough·errough·est

Definition of ROUGH

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>

2

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>

3

: coarse or rugged in character or appearance: as a : harsh to the ear b : crude in style or expression c : indelicate 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>; also : approximate <a rough idea>

— rough·ish \ˈrə-fish\ adjective

— rough·ness \ˈrəf-nəs\ noun

Examples of ROUGH

1. He trimmed the rough edge of the paper.
2. We traveled over rough dirt roads.
3. They hiked through rough terrain.
4. We were a bit shaken from the plane's rough landing.
5. He went through a rough patch after his divorce.
6. They've hit a few rough spots in their marriage.
7. Despite a rough start, the team won more games this season than last.

Origin of ROUGH

Middle English, from Old English rūh; akin to Old High German rūh rough, Lithuanian raukas wrinkle

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to ROUGH

Synonyms: bristly, brushy, cottony, fleecy, furred, furry, hirsute, hairy, shaggy, silky, unshorn, woolly (also wooly)

Antonyms: bald, furless, glabrous, hairless, shorn, smooth

Related Words: bearded, bewhiskered, mustachioed (also moustachioed), whiskered; stubbled, stubbly; downy, fluffy, fuzzy, linty, nappy

Near Antonyms: beardless, shaved, shaven

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

Synonym Discussion of ROUGH

rough, harsh, uneven, rugged, scabrous mean not smooth or even. rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface <a rough wooden board>. harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch <a harsh fabric that chafes the skin>. uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality <an old house with uneven floors>. rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel <a rugged landscape>. scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface <a scabrous leaf>.

Rhymes with ROUGH

bluff, buff, chough, chuff, cuff, duff, fluff, gruff, guff, huff, luff, muff, puff, ruff, scruff, scuff, slough, snuff, sough, stuff, tough, tuff