VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

rough

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/rʌf/
US/rʌf/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    Not smooth, with an uneven or coarse surface.

    Grammar: Comparable: rougher, roughest.

    Patterns

    • rough surface

    The rough bark scratched my hands.

    He walked over rough ground.

    The table has a rough finish.

  2. adjectivebefore a noun

    Not exact or finished; approximate.

    Grammar: Before a noun: a rough guess.

    Patterns

    • a rough estimate
    • a rough idea

    Give me a rough estimate of the cost.

    I have a rough idea of the route.

    This is only a rough draft.

  3. adjectivecomparable

    Using too much force or not gentle.

    Grammar: Describes people or actions: rough play.

    Patterns

    • be rough with someone

    Don't be so rough with the puppy.

    The game got rough in the second half.

    He has a rough manner.

  4. adjectivecomparableinformal

    Difficult, unpleasant or involving hardship.

    Grammar: Often informal: a rough day.

    Patterns

    • have a rough time

    She had a rough week at work.

    It has been a rough year for the family.

    The sea was rough during the storm.

  5. adjectiveafter a verbBritishinformal

    Not feeling well.

    Grammar: After feel or look: I feel rough.

    Patterns

    • feel rough

    I felt rough after the long flight.

    He looks rough this morning.

    She felt rough with a cold.

Word forms

comparativerougher
superlativeroughest

Common combinations

rough estimate
A rough estimate is fine.
rough sea
The ferry rocked in the rough sea.
rough draft
She wrote a rough draft.
rough neighborhood
He grew up in a rough neighborhood.
rough patch
The marriage went through a rough patch.

Synonyms and how they differ

coarse
Coarse describes texture that is harsh to touch.
approximate
Approximate is a more formal word for not exact.
uneven
Uneven describes surfaces with irregular height.
harsh
Harsh suggests severe or unkind quality.

Opposites

smoothgentleexact

Word family

roughly adverb
approximately or in a rough way
roughness noun
the state of being rough
roughen verb
to make or become rough

Commonly confused: rough or ruff?

rough vs ruff

A ruff is a frilled collar or a bird's neck feathers; rough is the adjective.

Practice

I don't know the exact price, but I can give you a ____ estimate.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “rough”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words