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Meaning & use

rough out

verb·Advanced

Last updated

UK/ˌrʌf ˈaʊt/
US/ˌrʌf ˈaʊt/

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive

    To draw or write the main parts of something quickly, without details or careful finishing.

    Grammar: Takes an object; the object can go after 'out' or between 'rough' and 'out': rough out a plan / rough a plan out.

    Patterns

    • rough out a plan
    • rough out an idea
    • rough something out

    She roughed out the design on the back of an envelope.

    Let's rough out the schedule before we book anything.

    He roughed out a few sentences and then stopped.

  2. verbtransitivetechnical

    To shape a piece of wood, stone, or metal roughly before doing the fine work.

    Grammar: Common in woodwork and building; often used in the passive: the shape is roughed out first.

    Patterns

    • rough out a shape
    • rough something out

    The carpenter roughed out the legs before sanding them smooth.

    The block of stone is roughed out with a large chisel.

Word forms

third person singularroughs out
past tenseroughed out
past participleroughed out
-ing formroughing out

Common combinations

rough out a plan
We roughed out a plan over coffee.
rough out a design
The artist roughed out the design in pencil.
rough out the details
First rough out the details, then polish them.
rough something out in pencil
She roughed the whole layout out in pencil.

Synonyms and how they differ

sketch
Sketch usually means a quick drawing; rough out can also mean planning words or ideas.
draft
Draft is the normal word for writing a first version, while rough out stresses speed and lack of detail.
outline
Outline means to list the main points, often more neatly than roughing something out.

Opposites

polishfinish

Word family

rough adjective
not smooth or not exact
roughly adverb
in a way that is not exact or not gentle

Commonly confused: rough out or rough up?

rough out vs rough up

'Rough up' means to hurt someone by pushing or hitting them; 'rough out' means to make a quick, unfinished version.

Practice

The team leader asked us to ______ a plan for the project before the meeting.

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