Meaning & use
rugged
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Having a rough, uneven, or rocky surface; not smooth or flat.
Grammar: Used to describe landscapes or surfaces; can be comparative: more rugged, most rugged.
Patterns
- rugged terrain
- rugged coastline
- a rugged surface
The rugged terrain made hiking difficult.
They drove along a rugged coastline with steep cliffs.
The old table had a rugged surface full of scratches.
adjectivecomparable
Strong, tough, and able to withstand hard use or difficult conditions.
Grammar: Often used for equipment or vehicles built to be durable; can be comparative.
Patterns
- rugged equipment
- a rugged vehicle
- rugged construction
This rugged laptop is designed for outdoor work.
They bought a rugged truck for the farm.
The rugged boots lasted for years.
adjectivecomparable
Having a strong, rough, and weather-beaten appearance, often considered attractive.
Grammar: Usually describes a person's face or features; can be comparative.
Patterns
- rugged features
- a rugged face
- rugged good looks
He had rugged features and a deep tan.
The actor is known for his rugged looks.
Her rugged appearance suggested a life outdoors.
Word forms
| comparative | more rugged |
|---|---|
| superlative | most rugged |
Common combinations
- rugged terrain
- The rugged terrain was hard to cross.
- rugged coastline
- We walked along the rugged coastline.
- rugged good looks
- He was famous for his rugged good looks.
- rugged individual
- She admired his rugged individualism.
Synonyms and how they differ
- rough
- Rough is more general for any uneven surface; rugged often suggests a natural, rocky landscape.
- sturdy
- Sturdy means strongly built and reliable; rugged adds the idea of withstanding rough conditions.
- weather-beaten
- Weather-beaten describes a person's skin damaged by weather; rugged can be positive, suggesting strength.
Opposites
Word family
- ruggedly adverb
- In a rugged manner; often used for strong, rough appearance.
- ruggedness noun
- The quality of being rugged.
Commonly confused: rugged or ragged?
rugged vs ragged
Ragged means torn or worn into rags, or very untidy; rugged means rough or tough.
Practice
The hikers struggled across the ___ mountain path.
Choose one answer.
Rugged means rough and uneven, which fits a difficult mountain path. Ragged means torn or untidy, smooth is the opposite, and delicate means easily damaged.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “rugged”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.