Raw
/rɔː/
Definitions
3 meaningsNot cooked, processed, or refined; in a natural state.
/rɔː/
Not cooked or processed
He ate a raw oyster.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a carrot. If you just bite into it without cooking, it's raw! It means it's in its natural, unchanged state, like when you find it in the ground or buy it from the store.
👶 For kids: Not cooked or changed! Like a carrot you just pull out of the ground and eat.
More Examples
The raw data needed to be analyzed.
Raw materials are used to make products.
How It's Used
"She prefers to eat her vegetables raw."
"Raw milk is not pasteurized."
Emotionally sensitive or exposed; involving something unpleasant; not yet covered or protected; exposed to the elements.
/rɔː/
Unpleasant, painful, or harsh
The raw wind made him shiver.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, when something's raw, it can be a bit harsh or painful. Like when you're really sad and your feelings are very open and easy to hurt.
👶 For kids: Feeling ouchie or exposed. Like when you're sad and you show everyone your sad face.
More Examples
She was still dealing with the raw grief of losing her pet.
The raw truth was hard to accept.
How It's Used
"The raw cold of the winter was unbearable."
"Her raw emotions were on display after the accident."
Lacking experience or training; inexperienced.
/rɔː/
Lacking experience or training
The raw recruits were sent to basic training.
💡 Simply: When someone's raw in a job or skill, it means they're new to it and haven't learned all the tricks yet. They're like a blank page just starting to write.
👶 For kids: Like you are new at something and have not learned how to do it yet!
More Examples
He had raw talent, but needed coaching to hone his skills.
The raw data was the foundation of the study.
How It's Used
"The team's raw talent was evident, even if they lacked experience."
"A raw recruit to the company"
Synonyms
Crude
Natural
Exposed
Harsh
Painful
Green
Inexperienced
Novice
Idioms & expressions
in the raw
In a natural or unrefined state.
"The painting shows nature in the raw."
From Old English *hrāw*, meaning 'uncooked, not processed'. Related to Proto-Germanic *hrauwaz*. The meaning evolved to include 'unprocessed' more broadly.
In historical texts, 'raw' was often used to describe food and its preparation, but also the harsh conditions of life.
Memory tip
Think of a 'raw' steak that still looks like it came from the animal.