"rough" Definition

Definitions for the word "rough" from multiple English dictionaries.

1. n.
Having inequalities, small ridges, or points, on the surface; not smooth or plain; as, a rough board; a rough stone; rough cloth.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. n.
Not level; having a broken surface; uneven; -- said of a piece of land, or of a road.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. n.
Not polished; uncut; -- said of a gem; as, a rough diamond.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. n.
Tossed in waves; boisterous; high; -- said of a sea or other piece of water.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
5. n.
Marked by coarseness; shaggy; ragged; disordered; -- said of dress, appearance, or the like; as, a rough coat.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
6. n.
Hence, figuratively, lacking refinement, gentleness, or polish.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
7. n.
Not courteous or kind; harsh; rude; uncivil; as, a rough temper.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
8. n.
Marked by severity or violence; harsh; hard; as, rough measures or actions.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
9. n.
Loud and hoarse; offensive to the ear; harsh; grating; -- said of sound, voice, and the like; as, a rough tone; rough numbers.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
10. n.
Austere; harsh to the taste; as, rough wine.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
11. n.
Tempestuous; boisterous; stormy; as, rough weather; a rough day.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
12. n.
Hastily or carelessly done; wanting finish; incomplete; as, a rough estimate; a rough draught.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
13. n.
Produced offhand.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
14. n.
Boisterous weather.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
15. n.
A rude fellow; a coarse bully; a rowdy.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
16. adv.
In a rough manner; rudely; roughly.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
17. v. t.
To render rough; to roughen.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
18. v. t.
To break in, as a horse, especially for military purposes.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
19. v. t.
To cut or make in a hasty, rough manner; -- with out; as, to rough out a carving, a sketch.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
20. adj.
1 uneven or bumpy, not smooth, level, or polished. 2 shaggy or coarse-haired. 3 boisterous, coarse; violent, not mild, quiet, or gentle (rough fellow; rough play; rough sea). 4 (of wine etc.) Sharp or harsh in taste. 5 harsh, insensitive (rough words; rough treatment). 6 a unpleasant, severe, demanding (had a rough time). B unfortunate; undeserved (had rough luck). C (often foll. By on) hard or unfair (towards). 7 lacking finish etc. 8 incomplete, rudimentary, approximate (rough attempt; rough sketch; rough estimate). 9 (of stationery etc.) Used for rough notes etc. 10 colloq. Unwell; depressed (feeling rough). adv. In a rough manner (play rough). n. 1 (usu. Prec. By the) hardship (take the rough with the smooth). 2 rough ground, esp. On a golf-course (ball went into the rough). 3 violent person (bunch of roughs). 4 unfinished or natural state (written it in rough). v. 1 (foll. By up) ruffle (feathers, hair, etc.), esp. By rubbing. 2 (foll. By out, in) shape, plan, or sketch roughly. rough it colloq. Do without basic comforts. Rough up slang attack violently. roughish adj. Roughness n. [old english]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
21. slang
bad; “ROUGH fish,” bad or stinking fish.—_Billingsgate._
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864

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Additional Info
This page provides a list of definitions and meanings for "rough" from various historical English dictionaries. By displaying multiple definitions, you can compare and contrast different meanings and nuances of a word, phrase, or slang. You can also see the changes in meaning of "rough" over time by viewing the definitions from different dictionaries published at different times in history. The page also includes other information to help users expand their vocabulary and understand the context of the word.

Important Notes
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