Rough
/rʌf/
Definitions
6 meaningsHaving an uneven or irregular surface; not smooth or level.
/rʌf/
Having an uneven or irregular surface
The rough stone felt harsh against my skin.
💡 Simply: Imagine your skin after forgetting lotion, or a gravel driveway. It means not smooth! Like if you rub a cat the wrong way, it's rough.
👶 For kids: Not smooth! Like a bumpy road.
More Examples
The craftsman used a rough file to shape the wood.
The trail was rough and difficult to hike.
How It's Used
"The walls had a rough texture."
"The rough bark of the tree provided shelter for insects."
Characterized by violence or lack of comfort; harsh or difficult.
/rʌf/
Characterized by violence or lack of comfort
The sailors faced a rough storm at sea.
💡 Simply: Imagine a fight, or a day when everything goes wrong. It means something that’s tough, difficult, or not easy. Like a bad day!
👶 For kids: When something is hard or not nice, like a fight or a bad day.
More Examples
He had a rough childhood.
The situation was a bit rough, but they managed.
How It's Used
"The game turned into a rough fight."
"They had a rough time adjusting to the new city."
Approximated or approximate; not precise or detailed.
/rʌf/
Approximated or approximate
They gave me a rough estimate of the cost.
💡 Simply: Imagine giving a guess, or the first drawing before the final one is finished. It means not exact. Like making a guess.
👶 For kids: A guess or something that's not exactly right.
More Examples
I have a rough idea of what I want to do.
He made a rough sketch of the design.
How It's Used
"The estimate was a rough calculation."
"The manager provided a rough outline of the plan."
Behaving in a violent or aggressive way.
/rʌf/
Behaving in a violent or aggressive way
The game was marred by rough play.
💡 Simply: If you're being too aggressive while playing a game, you're being rough.
👶 For kids: When someone is too aggressive or plays too hard.
More Examples
The security guards were rough with the protestors.
How It's Used
"The player was penalized for rough play."
To treat roughly, cruelly, or with violence.
/rʌf/
To treat in a harsh or unkind way
The police were accused of roughing up the suspect.
💡 Simply: If you're pushing someone around or treating them badly, that's roughing them up.
👶 For kids: To treat someone badly or in a mean way.
More Examples
They roughed him up a bit.
How It's Used
"They were afraid that the children would rough-handle their toys."
To make or become uneven in surface.
/rʌf/
To make or become uneven.
The craftsman roughed the surface of the wood.
💡 Simply: To make something less smooth.
👶 For kids: To make something not smooth.
More Examples
The sea roughed up the waters.
How It's Used
"He roughed the edges of the wood to give it a rustic look."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
rough and tumble
Full of energy, activity, and often boisterous behavior; involving a lot of physical activity and often informal competition.
"The kids had a rough-and-tumble play session in the park."
rough it
To live in a way that is less comfortable than usual, especially when camping or traveling.
"We decided to rough it while camping in the mountains."
rough justice
A form of justice that is not very fair, but done quickly or efficiently.
"The court delivered a rough justice as it rushed to resolve the issue."
rough seas
A sea with large waves and turbulence, implying a difficult or challenging environment.
"The ship struggled to navigate the rough seas."
From Middle English *rough*, *rouh*, from Old English *rūh*, *rūg* (“rough, shaggy, uneven”), from Proto-Germanic *rūhaz* (“rough, shaggy”).
The word 'rough' has been used in English since Old English times, originally describing physical characteristics. Its use has expanded over time to include metaphorical meanings relating to difficulty, violence, and approximation.
Memory tip
Think of a bumpy road or a surface that's not smooth.
Word Origin
"rough, shaggy"