rougher Meaning & Definition
What Does Rougher Mean?
Rougher is an adjective that means marked by inequalities, ridges, or projections on the surface. It is also used to mean covered with or made up of coarse and often shaggy hair compare smooth, wirehaired. As a verb, it means roughen. As an adverb, it means roughly.
Quick Facts About Rougher
| Part of speech | adjective, verb, adverb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈrəf/ |
| Synonyms | broken, bumpy and coarse |
| Antonyms | even, flat and level |
Rougher Definition (Adjective)
- marked by inequalities, ridges, or projections on the surface : coarse
- covered with or made up of coarse and often shaggy hair compare smooth, wirehaired
rough-coated collie
- having a broken, uneven, or bumpy surface
rough terrain
- difficult to travel through or penetrate : wild
… into the rough woods …
- turbulent, tempestuous
rough seas
- characterized by harshness, violence, or force
rough treatment / rough sports / grew up in a rough area / These dishes can't withstand rough handling. / Don't be so rough on them for the mistake. =don't criticize or punish them so harshly
- presenting a challenge : difficult
… rough to deal with … / Our ancestors had it rough =had a difficult existence compared to us. / He's going through a rough time. =his life has been difficult lately
- coarse or rugged in character or appearance: such as
- harsh to the ear
a rough voice
- crude in style or expression
- indelicate
- marked by a lack of refinement or grace : uncouth
a rough character
- crude, unfinished
rough carpentry
- executed or ventured hastily, tentatively, or imperfectly
a rough draft / rough estimate
- approximate
a rough idea / The plan has some rough edges. =has some aspects that need to be changed or finished / The design is still a bit rough around the edges. =the design needs refinement
Rougher as a Verb
- roughen
Rough the edges of the glass.
- to subject to abuse : manhandle, beat
The prisoner claimed he was roughed up by guards.
- to subject to unnecessary and intentional violence in a sport
a penalty for roughing the passer
- shell
- to calk or otherwise roughen (a horse's shoes) to prevent slipping
- to shape, make, or dress in a rough or preliminary way
- to indicate the chief lines of
Rougher as an Adverb
- roughly
- without usual conveniences
- without proper shelter
… become homeless and have to sleep rough …
Synonyms of Rougher
Antonyms of Rougher
Rougher in a Sentence
rough-coated collie
rough terrain
… into the rough woods …
rough seas
rough treatment
rough sports
grew up in a rough area
These dishes can't withstand rough handling.
Don't be so rough on them for the mistake. =don't criticize or punish them so harshly
… rough to deal with …
Our ancestors had it rough =had a difficult existence compared to us.
He's going through a rough time. =his life has been difficult lately
a rough voice
a rough character
rough carpentry
a rough draft
rough estimate
a rough idea
The plan has some rough edges. =has some aspects that need to be changed or finished
The design is still a bit rough around the edges. =the design needs refinement
Rough the edges of the glass.
The prisoner claimed he was roughed up by guards.
a penalty for roughing the passer
… become homeless and have to sleep rough …
a rough board can give you splinters
rough waters that made sailing our sloop a little risky
at least wear a raincoat if you're going out into that rough weather
a forensics expert who willingly takes on rough assignments
I've had a rough time of it since I lost my job
the rough faces of hardened criminals who had spent most of their lives behind bars
made a rough camp as darkness fell over the forest
he learned polite words to replace the rough language he had known growing up
a face rough with a couple days' worth of beard
a rough-coated dog who was always shedding his fur
a rough flight that left some passengers nauseated
after a rough week on the high seas, we were happy to sail through the gulf's more tranquil waters
she was badly roughed up by her boxing partner
the photographer claimed that he had been roughed up by the actor's bodyguards outside the club
rough treatment / rough sports / grew up in a rough area / These dishes can't withstand rough handling. / Don't be so rough on them for the mistake. =don't criticize or punish them so harshly
… rough to deal with … / Our ancestors had it rough =had a difficult existence compared to us. / He's going through a rough time. =his life has been difficult lately
a rough draft / rough estimate
a rough idea / The plan has some rough edges. =has some aspects that need to be changed or finished / The design is still a bit rough around the edges. =the design needs refinement
Word Forms & Grammar
rough·er
rough·est
rough·ish adjective
rough·ness noun
are rough on
are so rough on them
be rough on
be so rough on them
go through a rough time
goes through a rough time
going through a rough time
had it rough
has it rough
have it rough
is rough on
is so rough on them
rough
rough around the edges
rough edges
rougher
roughest
roughish
roughness
roughnesses
was rough on
was so rough on them
went through a rough time
were rough on
were so rough on them
roughed
rough·ing
roughs
rough·er noun
roughers
roughing
rough (up)
rough up
rougher (plural roughers)
Words That Rhyme With Rougher
Origin of Rougher
Middle English, from Old English rūh; akin to Old High German rūh rough, Lithuanian raukas wrinkle
First Known Use
before 12th century
1728
14th century
Frequently Asked Questions About Rougher
Is rougher an adjective or a verb?
Rougher is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a verb and an adverb.
What is another word for rougher?
You can replace rougher with words such as broken, bumpy and coarse. See the full list of rougher synonyms and antonyms.
More About Rougher On Meaning Stash
More Words Starting With “Roug”
- rougarou
- rouge
- rouged
- rough
- rough-and-ready
- rough-and-tumble
- rough-and-tumbles
- rough-book
- rough-drawing
- rough-dry