noun
roughness
RUHF-nuhs
Roughness (noun) means the quality of having an uneven, coarse, or bumpy surface or texture. Example: “You could feel the roughness of the bark under your fingers.”
noun
1
The quality of having an uneven, coarse, or bumpy surface or texture.
"You could feel the roughness of the bark under your fingers."
"The roughness of the fabric made it uncomfortable to wear."
2
Harshness or lack of gentleness in behavior, sound, or manner.
"There was a roughness to his voice after shouting all afternoon."
How to use roughness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe state of being rough — whether that's a bumpy surface, harsh sound, or coarse manner.
Common pairings
surface roughness
roughness of the terrain
a certain roughness
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Word forms
- Plural
- roughnesses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You could feel the _____ of the bark under your fingers.
Etymology
From Old English hreoh (\"rough, stormy\") plus the suffix -ness, which turns an adjective into a noun.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for roughness
See all rhymes for roughness →Frequently asked questions
What does “roughness” mean?
The word “roughness” means the quality of having an uneven, coarse, or bumpy surface or texture. In plain terms, the state of being rough — whether that's a bumpy surface, harsh sound, or coarse manner.
How do you pronounce “roughness”?
“Roughness” is pronounced RUHF-nuhs (/ˈɹʌf.nəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “roughness” in a sentence?
Here is “roughness” used in a sentence: “You could feel the roughness of the bark under your fingers.”
What part of speech is “roughness”?
“Roughness” is a noun.
Where does the word “roughness” come from?
The word “roughness” comes from Old English. From Old English hreoh (\"rough, stormy\") plus the suffix -ness, which turns an adjective into a noun.
How many meanings does “roughness” have?
“Roughness” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of having an uneven, coarse, or bumpy surface or texture.
