coarse
kaws
Coarse (adj) means Rough in texture rather than smooth. Example: “The coarse fabric scratched against her skin.”
adj
1
Rough in texture rather than smooth.
"The coarse fabric scratched against her skin."
2
Lacking refinement or good manners; crude.
"The butcher and the porkman painted up only the leanest scrags of meat; the baker, the coarsest of meagre loaves."
— Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities (2007)
"He made a coarse joke that embarrassed the whole table."
How to use coarse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRough to the touch, or crude and lacking in refinement.
Common mistake
Easily confused with "course" (a direction, path, or school subject) — they sound identical but mean completely different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
coarse sand
coarse language
coarse fabric
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Word forms
- Comparative
- coarser
- Superlative
- coarsest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ fabric scratched against her skin.
Etymology
Originally the same word as "course", it split off in spelling during the 1700s after developing the meaning "ordinary" and then "rough" or "unrefined".
Class of 1700
coarse joined the language around 1700.
See the full Class of 1700 →
Related words
Rhymes for coarse
See all rhymes for coarse →Frequently asked questions
What does “coarse” mean?
The word “coarse” means rough in texture rather than smooth. In plain terms, rough to the touch, or crude and lacking in refinement.
How do you pronounce “coarse”?
“Coarse” is pronounced kaws (/kɔɹs/ in IPA).
How do you use “coarse” in a sentence?
Here is “coarse” used in a sentence: “The coarse fabric scratched against her skin.”
What is the opposite of “coarse”?
The opposite of “coarse” — its antonyms — is fine.
What part of speech is “coarse”?
“Coarse” is an adjective.
Where does the word “coarse” come from?
The word “coarse” dates back to around 1700. Originally the same word as "course", it split off in spelling during the 1700s after developing the meaning "ordinary" and then "rough" or "unrefined".
Is “coarse” a common word?
“Coarse” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “coarse” have?
“Coarse” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: rough in texture rather than smooth.
