rough
ruhf
Rough (adj) means having an uneven or bumpy surface; not smooth. Example: “The rough stone wall scraped her hand.”
adj
1
Having an uneven or bumpy surface; not smooth.
"The rough stone wall scraped her hand."
"The path was rough and full of stones, so we walked slowly."
"Rub the rough surface with sandpaper until it feels smooth."
2
Approximate, or done without much care or finishing.
"Give me a rough estimate of the total cost."
"This is just a rough draft — I'll polish it later."
"I only have a rough idea of when the train arrives."
3
Harsh, difficult, or unpleasant to go through.
"It's been a rough year for the whole family."
"After a rough night with the baby, he could barely keep his eyes open."
"The ferry crossing was rough, and several passengers felt ill."
4
Violent or lacking gentleness in manner.
"Try not to be so rough with the puppy."
"The game got rough, so the referee stopped play and warned both teams."
"Don't be rough with your little sister; she's much smaller than you."
noun
1
The area of long grass bordering the fairway on a golf course.
"His drive landed deep in the rough."
"She spent ten minutes searching for her ball in the rough."
"The groundsman left the rough long along the edge of the course."
verb
1
To treat someone violently or handle them forcefully (usually as "rough up").
"The bouncers roughed him up before throwing him out."
"The gang threatened to rough him up if he talked."
"Witnesses said two men roughed up the shopkeeper before running off."
How to use rough
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot smooth — used literally for surfaces and texture, and figuratively for approximate estimates, tough times, or unrefined/careless behaviour.
Common mistake
"Rough" (uneven, approximate) is often confused in speech with "ruff" (a dog's bark, or a pleated collar) — they're unrelated homophones.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
rough estimate
rough draft
rough patch
rough up
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Word forms
- Plural
- roughs
- Third person singular
- roughs
- Past tense
- roughed
- Comparative
- rougher, more rough
- Superlative
- roughest, most rough
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ stone wall scraped her hand.
Etymology
From Old English rūh, "rough, hairy," from a Proto-Germanic root; related to German rau and Dutch ruig.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for rough
See all rhymes for rough →Frequently asked questions
What does “rough” mean?
The word “rough” means having an uneven or bumpy surface; not smooth. In plain terms, not smooth — used literally for surfaces and texture, and figuratively for approximate estimates, tough times, or unrefined/careless behaviour.
How do you pronounce “rough”?
“Rough” is pronounced ruhf (/ɹʌf/ in IPA).
How do you use “rough” in a sentence?
Here is “rough” used in a sentence: “The rough stone wall scraped her hand.”
What is another word for “rough”?
Words with a similar meaning to “rough” include abrasive, asperous, coarse, gimped, harsh and irregular.
What is the opposite of “rough”?
The opposite of “rough” — its antonyms — are even, polished, smooth and velvety.
What part of speech is “rough”?
Depending on how it is used, “rough” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “rough” come from?
The word “rough” comes from Old English. From Old English rūh, "rough, hairy," from a Proto-Germanic root; related to German rau and Dutch ruig.
Is “rough” a common word?
“Rough” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between rough and ruff?
They sound alike but are unrelated. Rough is an adjective meaning uneven, coarse, or not smooth — a rough road, rough skin. Ruff is a noun: a stiff, frilled collar worn in Tudor times, a ring of feathers or fur around an animal's neck, or, in card games, playing a trump.
What is the opposite of rough?
For the surface meaning, the clear opposite is smooth — an even, unbroken texture with no bumps or grit. Depending on context, words like flat, polished, or sleek also work. A rough plank becomes smooth once sanded; a rough road is the opposite of a smooth, well-paved one.
What is an example of a rough surface?
Rough surfaces have texture you can feel. Sandpaper, tree bark, an unpaved gravel track, coarse stone, and dry, chapped skin are all rough. Running a hand over them catches and drags rather than gliding. The word can also stretch to a rough sea, where the water is choppy and uneven.
Does rough only describe texture?
No. Texture is the core sense, but rough has many others. It can mean difficult or unpleasant (a rough day), approximate (a rough estimate), violent or harsh (rough treatment), unfinished (a rough draft), or unwell (feeling rough). Context shows which is meant, though all share a feeling of being unpolished.
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