roughly
RUHF-lee
Roughly (adv) means Approximately; not exactly. Example: “The trip took roughly three hours.”
adv
1
Approximately; not exactly.
"The trip took roughly three hours."
"There were roughly two hundred people at the event."
"The recipe needs roughly a cup of flour and a pinch of salt."
2
In a rough, harsh, or ungentle way.
"He grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her back."
"The removal men threw the boxes roughly into the van, and several things broke."
"Don't handle the puppy so roughly, or you will frighten it."
How to use roughly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "approximately" (roughly three miles) or "in a harsh, forceful manner" (pushed roughly).
Common pairings
roughly speaking
roughly equal
treated roughly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- roughlier, more roughly
- Superlative
- roughliest, most roughly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The trip took _____ three hours.
Etymology
From rough plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for roughly
See all rhymes for roughly →Frequently asked questions
What does “roughly” mean?
The word “roughly” means approximately; not exactly. In plain terms, either "approximately" (roughly three miles) or "in a harsh, forceful manner" (pushed roughly).
How do you pronounce “roughly”?
“Roughly” is pronounced RUHF-lee (/ˈɹʌf.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “roughly” in a sentence?
Here is “roughly” used in a sentence: “The trip took roughly three hours.”
What part of speech is “roughly”?
“Roughly” is an adverb.
Is “roughly” a common word?
“Roughly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “roughly” have?
“Roughly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: approximately; not exactly.
What is the difference between 'roughly' and 'approximately'?
Both mean 'not exactly' when giving a figure, and they are often interchangeable. 'Roughly' is slightly more informal and conversational, while 'approximately' sounds more precise and is common in technical or formal writing.
When does 'roughly' mean 'harshly' rather than 'approximately'?
'Roughly' means 'approximately' when it modifies a number or amount, as in 'roughly ten miles'. It means in a rough, harsh, or ungentle way when it describes an action, as in 'he pushed the door roughly'.
What is the difference between 'roughly' and 'about'?
Both signal an approximate amount, and both are informal. 'About' typically comes directly before the number ('about 50 people'), and 'roughly' works the same way ('roughly 50 people'), though 'roughly' can suggest a slightly looser estimate.
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