coarse

USAGE SUMMARY

"coarse" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is rough in texture or manner, or that lacks refinement or subtlety. For example, "The fabric of the shirt felt coarse against my skin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In some ways it's crude and heavy-handed, blazing with coarse indignation, but in its day it was, creatively speaking, a game-changer.

The Guardian - Books

When else can you scream coarse expletives, with lovely crisp consonants at each end, as loud as you like, completely unrestrained?

The Guardian - Money

Add the remaining falafel ingredients and pulse, until the puree is soft but still slightly coarse.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Well, there's its over 200 uses of the N word throughout the book and a banning from many libraries for its use of "coarse language".

The Guardian

Add the butter and whizz again until you have a coarse knobbly texture.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The vibrancy of ginger, garlic and chilli, crisp tofu, meltingly soft aubergine and zing of coriander were all beautifully balanced with the coarse texture and creamy flavour of desiccated coconut.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Makes one cornbread, or enough for 20 pieces Heat the oven to 190C/375F/gas mark 5. Sift together 180g coarse yellow cornmeal (aka polenta), 125g plain flour, a teaspoon of baking powder, a quarter-teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda, half a teaspoon of salt and 125g caster sugar.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Coarse wool (the cheapest sort, with a fibre diameter of between 25 and 40 microns) was able to absorb ten times its own weight of heavy fuel oil, a refinery product similar to crude.

The Economist

Another robot, RiSE, resembles a giant cockroach and uses six legs, tipped with short, Velcro-like spikes, to climb coarse walls.

The Economist

And if defaults occur, the junior tranches take the first hit.This tailoring can turn coarse corporate cloth into investment-grade haute couture.

The Economist

An Italian project even found that coarse wool is particularly good at mopping up oil.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "coarse" to describe language or behavior that lacks refinement or is considered vulgar. For example, "coarse language" or "coarse jokes".

Common error

Avoid mistaking "coarse" for "course". "Coarse" describes texture or lack of refinement, while "course" refers to a direction, a series of studies, or a part of a meal. Using the wrong word can significantly alter your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "coarse" primarily functions to describe the quality or characteristic of a noun. It specifies that something is rough in texture, lacking refinement, or vulgar. Ludwig AI highlights examples of this usage, showing how "coarse" modifies nouns like "wool", "language", and "grains".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "coarse" is a versatile adjective used to describe a lack of refinement, roughness in texture, or vulgarity in language or behavior. Ludwig AI confirms that "coarse" is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news, lifestyle, and scientific domains. While its register varies from neutral to slightly negative, it remains a common and effective word for conveying specific qualities. Be mindful to distinguish it from "course" to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rough

This alternative emphasizes the unevenness or lack of smoothness in texture or manner.

unrefined

This suggests a lack of sophistication or polish.

crude

This indicates a lack of delicacy or taste; can also mean raw or unprocessed.

vulgar

This highlights a lack of good taste or manners; offensively crude.

crass

This emphasizes a lack of sensitivity or intelligence.

uncouth

This suggests a lack of refinement and cultivation.

indelicate

This emphasizes a lack of sensitivity or tact.

harsh

This indicates something unpleasant or severe in effect.

gritty

This emphasizes a rough, sandy texture or a determined, unyielding character.

unpolished

This suggests a lack of refinement or sophistication, similar to 'unrefined'.

FAQs

How can I use "coarse" in a sentence?

You can use "coarse" to describe a rough texture, like "The "coarse sand" irritated my skin", or to describe vulgar language, such as "His "coarse behavior" was inappropriate".

What words are similar to "coarse"?

Alternatives to "coarse" include "rough", "unrefined", and "crude depending on the specific context".

Is it better to say "coarse language" or "vulgar language"?

"Coarse language" and "vulgar language" are similar, but "vulgar" often implies a more deliberate offensiveness. "Coarse" can also suggest a lack of sophistication rather than intentional rudeness.

What's the difference between "coarse" and "rough"?

Both "coarse" and "rough" describe texture, but "rough" generally implies a surface with irregularities, while "coarse" suggests a composition of large or unrefined particles, such as "coarse salt".