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¹rough

adjective \ˈrəf\

: having a surface that is not even

: having or causing sudden, violent movements

: difficult or unpleasant to deal with

rough·errough·est

Full Definition of ROUGH

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>

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>

: 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

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

See rough defined for English-language learners

See rough defined for kids

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

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>.

synonyms see in addition rude

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

²rough

adverb

: in a rough way

: outside and without shelter

Full Definition of ROUGH

: roughly 1

British : without usual conveniences; especially : without proper shelter <become homeless and have to sleep rough — London Times>

See rough defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of ROUGH

14th century

³rough

noun

the rough golf : an area on a golf course covered with tall grass that makes it difficult to hit the ball

: something (such as a drawing) that is done quickly and is not detailed or finished

: a person who is loud and violent

Full Definition of ROUGH

: uneven ground covered with high grass, brush, and stones; specifically : such ground bordering a golf fairway

: the rugged or disagreeable side or aspect <hiking-camping admirers of nature in the rough — Eleanor Stirling>

a : 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

: rowdy

See rough defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of ROUGH

15th century

⁴rough

verb

American football + ice hockey : to hit (a player) very hard in a way that is not allowed by the rules

Full Definition of ROUGH

transitive verb

: roughen

a : to subject to abuse : manhandle, beat —usually used with up

b : to subject to unnecessary and intentional violence in a sport <a penalty for roughing the passer>

c : shell 3 —used with up <was roughed up for six runs>

: to calk or otherwise roughen (a horse's shoes) to prevent slipping

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>

— rough·er noun

— rough it

: to live under harsh or primitive conditions

See rough defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of ROUGH

1763

ROUGHNESS Defined for Kids

¹rough

adjective \ˈrəf\

rough·errough·est

Definition of ROUGH for Kids

: uneven in surface <rough tree bark> <a rough road>

: having many bumps and jolts <a rough ride>

: not calm <rough seas>

: being harsh or violent <rough treatment>

: difficult or unpleasant to deal with <“You're in for a rough night …” — J. K. Rowling, Chamber of Secrets>

: coarse or rugged in nature or look <a rough face>

: having a harsh sound <a rough voice>

: not complete or exact <a rough estimate> <a rough draft>

— rough·ly adverb

— rough·ness noun

²rough

noun

Definition of ROUGH for Kids

: uneven ground covered with high grass, brush, and stones

: something in a crude or unfinished state <It's not a finished drawing, just a rough.>

³rough

verb

roughedrough·ing

Definition of ROUGH for Kids

: to handle violently : beat <He was roughed up by bullies.>

: to make or shape coarsely or unevenly

— rough it

: to live without ordinary comforts <We spent the summer roughing it in northern Maine.>

Medical Dictionary

rough

adjective \ˈrəf\

Medical Definition of ROUGH

: having a broken, uneven, or bumpy surface; specifically : forming or being rough colonies usually made up of organisms that form chains or filaments and tend to marked decrease in capsule formation and virulence—used of dissociated strains of bacteria; compare smooth