Rough (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Violently agitated and turbulent; "boisterous winds and waves"; "the fierce thunders roar me their music"- Ezra Pound; "rough weather"; "rough seas".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The stormy weather made for rough seas that tossed the small boat about like a toy.
- The rough winds howled through the city streets, knocking over trash cans and loose objects.
- The surfers loved riding the rough waves that crashed against the rocky shoreline.
- The rough seas made it difficult for the sailors to keep their footing on the deck.
- The pilot's voice came over the intercom, warning passengers of rough air ahead and to fasten their seatbelts.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
Not quite exact or correct; "the approximate time was 10 o'clock"; "a rough guess"; "a ballpark estimate".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The rough estimate was that the project would take about six months to complete.
- She made a rough calculation of the cost and decided it was within her budget.
- The rough outline of the plan was to start with a small team and expand as needed.
- The rough translation of the phrase didn't quite capture its original meaning.
- The rough timeline was subject to change, but the team was aiming for a summer launch.
Synonyms
Meaning 3
Not shaped by cutting or trimming; "an uncut diamond"; "rough gemstones".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Synonyms
Meaning 4
Unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound; "a gravelly voice".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The singer's rough vocals added a raw edge to the band's music.
- His rough tone made it clear he was not interested in discussing the matter further.
- The rough growl of the engine was a stark contrast to the smooth hum of the air conditioner.
- The comedian's rough humor was not to everyone's taste, but it suited the late-night crowd.
- The rough bark of the dog startled the mailman, causing him to jump back in surprise.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 5
Causing or characterized by jolts and irregular movements; "a rough ride".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The amusement park's newest rollercoaster was notorious for its rough ride, with sharp turns and steep drops that left riders breathless.
- The construction crew encountered rough terrain as they built the new highway through the mountainous region.
- After the earthquake, the family's rough ride on the road to safety was only the beginning of their ordeal.
- The driver had to navigate through the rough sea of rush hour traffic to get to work on time.
- The sailboat experienced a rough ride on the choppy waters of the open ocean.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Meaning 6
Unkind or cruel or uncivil; "had harsh words"; "a harsh and unlovable old tyrant"; "a rough answer".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Synonyms
Meaning 7
Full of hardship or trials; "the rocky road to success"; "they were having a rough time".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- She's been having a rough year since losing her job and dealing with health issues.
- The company is going through a rough patch financially, with many employees facing layoffs.
- After the breakup, he went through a rough time and struggled to get out of bed in the morning.
- The refugees faced a rough journey across the desert, with limited food and water.
- The students had a rough first semester, but their grades improved significantly in the second half of the year.
Synonyms
Meaning 8
Not perfected; "a rough draft"; "a few rough sketches".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Meaning 9
Having or caused by an irregular surface; "trees with rough bark"; "rough ground"; "rough skin"; "rough blankets"; "his unsmooth face".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The rock climber carefully made her way up the mountain's rough surface, searching for handholds.
- After spending hours working in the garden, Sarah's hands felt rough from the dry soil.
- The carpet had a rough texture that was unpleasant to walk on in bare feet.
- His face was rough and weathered from years of working outdoors as a fisherman.
- The dog's rough coat needed to be brushed daily to prevent matting.
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Meaning 10
(of persons or behavior) lacking refinement or finesse; "she was a diamond in the rough"; "rough manners".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- He was a rough diamond, but his kind heart made up for his lack of polish.
- The rough-around-the-edges artist was known for his bold and unconventional style.
- Her rough demeanor hid a sharp intellect and quick wit.
- The neighborhood was considered rough, with high crime rates and a history of violence.
- The young musician's rough vocals added a raw energy to the band's music.
Related Words
Meaning 11
Not carefully or expertly made; "managed to make a crude splint"; "a crude cabin of logs with bark still on them"; "rough carpentry".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 12
Of the margin of a leaf shape; having the edge cut or fringed or scalloped.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The rough edge of the oak leaf is a distinguishing characteristic of the species.
- The fern fronds have a rough margin, with small teeth along the edges.
- The leaves of the begonia plant have a rough edge, with small scallops and serrations.
- The maple leaf's rough margin is one of the features that botanists use to identify the species.
- The cherry laurel leaf has a rough edge, with small teeth and a wavy shape.
Antonyms
Related Words
Meaning 13
Unpleasantly stern; "wild and harsh country full of hot sand and cactus"; "the nomad life is rough and hazardous".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 14
Ready and able to resort to force or violence; "pugnacious spirits...lamented that there was so little prospect of an exhilarating disturbance"- Herman Melville; "they were rough and determined fighting men".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- He was a rough character with a history of street fights and bar brawls.
- The neighborhood was notorious for its rough and tumble crowd of teenagers who frequently clashed with local authorities.
- She had a rough reputation for being fiercely competitive and would stop at nothing to win a match.
- They were rough and determined fighting men who had spent years honing their combat skills.
- The city's rough underbelly was a world of petty crime and street violence that tourists rarely saw.