raw

The word “raw” means not cooked. In plain terms, uncooked, unprocessed, or (figuratively) unpolished and exposed — whether skin, talent, or emotion.

“Raw” is pronounced raw (/ɹɔ/ in IPA).

Here is “raw” used in a sentence: “The sushi is made with raw fish.”

Words with a similar meaning to “raw” include coarse, crude, natural, pure, pristine and unalloyed.

The opposite of “raw” — its antonyms — are contaminated, impure, manufactured, modified and processed.

“Raw” is an adjective.

The word “raw” comes from Latin. From Old English hreaw, going back to a Proto-Indo-European root connected to raw meat and blood — the same root that gives Latin crudus, source of English "crude.".

“Raw” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

Raw food is served in its natural state, without heat, like sushi, salad or fresh fruit. Cooked food has been heated by boiling, baking, frying or roasting, which changes its texture, flavour and often its safety. Cooking can kill harmful bacteria, so some foods are safer cooked than raw.

Sushi and sashimi use raw fish, steak tartare uses raw beef, and a salad is made of raw vegetables. Fresh fruit, nuts and many vegetables are eaten raw by default. In each case the food is served uncooked, without any heat applied.

Many foods are perfectly safe raw, such as most fruit, vegetables and salads. Others carry more risk: raw meat, poultry, eggs and some seafood can harbour bacteria that cooking would destroy. Freshness, hygiene and proper handling matter, and certain groups, like pregnant people, are usually advised to avoid high-risk raw foods.

In the sense of food, the opposite of raw is cooked — heated by boiling, baking or frying until it changes texture and flavour. Related opposites include prepared, processed or refined, depending on context. When raw simply means uncooked, "cooked" is the clearest and most natural antonym.