Definition of rough - Reverso English Dictionary
Adjective
1.
texturenot smooth or even in texture
- The table's surface was rough to the touch.
2.
situationdifficult or unpleasant to deal with
- They went through a rough patch in their relationship..
3.
estimateapproximate or not exact
- He gave a rough estimate of the costs.
4.
weatherturbulent or stormy
- The sea was rough during the storm.
5.
unrefinedcrude or lacking refinement
- The rough draft needed more work.
6.
soundharsh or grating to the ear
- His voice was rough and hoarse.
7.
- The neighborhood was known to be rough.
8.
- He felt rough after the party.
9.
jewelryTECH. not polished or cut, especially of gemsTECH.
- The diamond was still in its rough state.
Adverb
1.
approximationapproximately, not exactly
- The project will cost rough $2000..
2.
mannerin a harsh or unrefined manner
- He spoke rough to the waiter.
3.
living conditionswithout comfort or basic necessities
- They had to sleep rough during the trip.
4.
movementwith violent or forceful motion
- The boat moved rough across the waves.
Noun
1.
situationdifficult or unpleasant part of something
- He's going through a rough in his life right now..
2.
sportsTECH. the unmowed part of a golf courseTECH.
- The ball landed in the rough.
3.
imperfectionunfinished or crude state
- The sculpture was still in the rough.
4.
artTECH. quick sketch for artistic brainstormingTECH.
- She drew a rough for the project.
5.
gemologyTECH. raw material for creating gemsTECH.
- The jeweler examined the rough.
6.
- He was known as a rough in the neighborhood.
Verb
1.
prepare preliminarilytr. prepare a preliminary version of a text or plantr.
- She roughed in the first chapter of her novel last night..
2.
craftingtr. make or shape something roughly or hastilytr.
- He roughed out a plan on the back of an envelope..
3.
- The player was penalized for roughing during the match.
Images of rough
the unmowed part of a golf course 
quick sketch for artistic brainstorming 
raw material for creating gems
Expressions with rough
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bumpy or uncomfortable journey in a vehicle
The old bus gave us a rough ride.
unpolished or unrefined qualities
Despite his rough edges, he is a kind person.
treat someone in a harsh or unfair way
The coach really roughed on the new players.
difficult period in life or situation
They are going through a rough patch in their marriage.
experience difficulty or hardship in a situation
She had a rough time adjusting to the new school.
upcoming physical road conditions that are not smooth
Drivers should be prepared for a rough road ahead due to construction.
make things challenging or stressful for someone
The examiners gave her a rough time with tricky questions.
experience a difficult period
They hit a rough patch in their marriage last year.
experiencing a difficult or troubled situation
She is in a rough spot right now.
cause problems or difficulties for someone
They tried to make things rough for the new manager.
not fully polished, either lacking refinement or unfinished
The plan is still rough around the edges.
poor or deteriorated condition
The car was in rough shape after the accident.
situations become difficult or challenging
When the going gets rough, she never gives up.
sleep outdoors without proper shelter
Many people are forced to sleep rough in the city.
estimating without exact data or calculations
At a rough guess, there are 50 people here.
sleep outside without shelter
Many people are sleeping rough in the city due to the housing crisis.
behave in an aggressive manner
She cut up rough when they tried to evict her.
facing temporary challenges
The company is experiencing a rough patch due to market fluctuations.
experience unfair or harsh treatment
She got a rough deal at the negotiation.
experience harsh treatment or criticism from others
He got a rough ride from the press after the mistake.
cause difficulty or trouble for someone
The teacher gave the students a rough time with the test.
in an unrefined or unfinished state
The sculpture was beautiful even in the rough.
live and sleep outdoors without a proper home
During the summer, many people live rough in the park.
deal with difficult situations or problems
She had to navigate through rough waters after losing her job.
Origin of rough
Old English, ruh (rough) + -ig (having)
Terms with rough included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
material
smooth and flexible not rough or harsh
rough terrains
bicycle suitable for rough terrains
medical
condition where body covering lacks water and feels rough or tight
calculation
rough calculation of value, size, or cost
drawing
create a quick, rough drawing
action
hit something hard in a rough way
material quality
rough, made of big grains or pieces
rough time
experience problems or difficulties during an activity
construction
glass with a rough surface that lets in light but hides clear views
sound
deep, rough sound indicating displeasure
durability
designed to withstand tough conditions or rough handling
clothing
resistant boot designed for hiking on rough terrains
raspy
having a rough unclear voice from illness or shouting
geography
having many mountains or rough terrain
trail bike
bike designed for rough terrains
transportation
motorcycle designed for use on rough surfaces
sea life
marine mollusk with a rough shell containing edible flesh
irritated throat
throat that feels rough and irritated
rough amount
number rounded for simplicity or estimation
rough fabric
flat piece of rough fabric for cleaning surfaces
injury
injure skin by rubbing against something rough
clothing
rough and uncomfortable to wear
art
related to making quick, rough drawings
modification
make something less rough or sharp
Examples of rough in a sentence
The road was rough and full of potholes. The project deadline made the week rough. His rough childhood shaped his character. She provided a rough estimate of the timeline. The rough estimate was close to the actual figure. The weather forecast predicts rough conditions at sea.
The pilot warned of rough skies ahead. His rough manners were off-putting to some. The rough texture of the fabric was uncomfortable. The rough sound of the engine was alarming. Her rough singing voice grated on the audience. The alley behind the pub was quite rough. Living in a rough area can be challenging. She looked rough after the late night. Feeling rough, he skipped breakfast. The jeweler examined the rough emerald. Rough sapphires filled the small tray. The estimate was rough, not precise. He gave a rough figure for the expenses. The mechanic handled the tools rough, causing damage. She played rough with the puppy, making it yelp. After missing the last bus, we slept rough. Many people sleep rough in the city centre. The wind blew rough through the trees. The car skidded rough on the icy road. The project hit a rough and needed more resources. They encountered a rough during the negotiations. His shot from the rough was surprisingly accurate. Golfers often struggle to hit the ball out of the rough. The artist left the painting in the rough. His ideas were still in the rough, needing refinement. The artist showed us a rough of her new painting. He quickly sketched a rough to capture the idea. He carefully sorted through the rough to find the best pieces. The rough was shipped to the factory for processing. The roughs at the bar were causing trouble again. She avoided the roughs who loitered near the school. He roughed out the project plan. They roughed in the details of the agreement. The artist roughed out the sculpture before the final touches. They roughed the design on a napkin during lunch. He was ejected for roughing the opponent. The coach warned him about roughing in the game.
View all translations of rough
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:rugueux, environ, ...
- German:rau, ungefähr, ...
- Italian:ruvido, circa, ...
- Spanish:áspero, aproximadamente, ...
- Portuguese:áspero, aproximadamente, ...
- Chinese:粗糙的, 大约, ...
- Japanese:ざらざらした, おおよそ, ...
- Arabic:خَشِن, تقريبًا, ...
- Hebrew:מְחֻסְפָּס, בְּעֵרֶךְ, ...
- Russian:шероховатый, примерно, ...
- Ukrainian:шорсткий, приблизно, ...
- Hindi:खुरदरा, अनुमानतः, ...
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