rough

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'rough' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not smooth, to describe an experience that is difficult, or to describe something that is approximate. Example sentence: The road was very rough, making the car ride uncomfortable.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One way or another the major UK parties have been pretty rough in their election campaign efforts to neutralise or exploit the likely consequences on Westminster of an SNP-dominated contingent from Scotland.

The Guardian

With the press threatening to cut up rough, Alastair Campbell staged a reconciliation between them for the cameras.

The Guardian - Opinion

He knew this in the rough and tumble of hurling, the world's fastest sport played on grass.

The Guardian

The Hockey budget will probably receive similarly rough handling.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hebridean sheep graze freely on the Machrihanish Dunes course, serving as natural lawnmowers, and the rough is studded with purple pyramid, frog and marsh orchids.

The Guardian - Travel

He is a rude, rough beast who channels work of dizzying beauty.

The Guardian - Film

Since Friday lunchtime, when the Guardian broke the story that Sierra Leone's top 100-metre sprinter was sleeping rough and going hungry, thousands from all over the world have responded to his plight.

The Guardian

It is widely acknowledged that the pro-euro government will receive a rough ride from the nation's press during a referendum campaign, which is expected to be held over the next two years.

The Guardian

As Congress moves toward a possible shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, in protest at Barack Obama's executive action on immigration, the co-author of a Senate bill that shared many of the president's objectives was always going to have a rough ride at the Conservative Political Action Conference CPACConservative Political Action Conference CPAC

The Guardian

You'll need to stay with younger children and keep a keen eye on older ones – the waves here are rough – but it's a great spot to while away a couple of hours with a bucket and a net.

The Guardian - Travel

Daniels is speaking to the European press ("The Guardian's rough. It's rough, baby! It's like the [New York] Times on steroids. Careful!" ) alongside Taraji P Henson, who has grabbed the role of Cookie and made her the most quoted character on American telly.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical textures, ensure the context clarifies whether you mean unevenness to the touch, or an unrefined appearance. Use synonyms to refine the meaning if needed.

Common error

Avoid using "rough" as a catch-all descriptor; specify the type of "roughness". Instead of "a rough day", consider "a difficult day" or "a challenging day" to be more precise.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "rough" primarily functions as a modifier, describing nouns by attributing qualities such as unevenness, difficulty, or crudeness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and versatile, fitting seamlessly into diverse contexts. Examples provided showcase its capacity to depict physical textures, emotional states, and approximations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Travel

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Lifestyle

7%

Books

5%

Film

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "rough" is a versatile adjective, widely used to describe physical textures, difficult experiences, and approximations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly encountered across diverse contexts, especially in news, travel, and sports. While generally neutral in tone, precise usage requires careful consideration of the intended meaning. To avoid overgeneralization, specify the type of "roughness" you are describing and consider synonyms like "uneven", "difficult", or "approximate" for greater clarity. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uneven

Focuses specifically on the lack of smoothness or uniformity.

coarse

Emphasizes the crude or unrefined nature of something.

rugged

Suggests strength and resilience, often applied to landscapes or appearances.

difficult

Highlights the challenging or trying aspect of a situation.

turbulent

Specifically indicates instability or disturbance, often in relation to weather or emotions.

approximate

Highlights the estimated and not exact nature of a value or calculation.

unfinished

Focuses on the incomplete or unrefined state of an object or project.

unrefined

Stresses the lack of sophistication or polish.

stormy

Specifically suggests a harsh or troubled period, often in weather or relationships.

harsh

Emphasizes the severe or cruel nature of something.

FAQs

How to use "rough" in a sentence?

You can use "rough" to describe a texture, such as "The bark of the tree was rough.", or a difficult situation, such as "He had a rough time at work today.".

What can I say instead of "rough"?

You can use alternatives like "uneven", "difficult", or "approximate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "rough" or "roughly"?

"Rough" is an adjective and "roughly" is an adverb. Use "rough" to describe a noun, and "roughly" to describe a verb or adjective. For example, "a rough surface" vs. "roughly estimated".

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

"Rough" generally implies unevenness or a lack of smoothness, while "coarse" suggests a crude or unrefined quality. While they can overlap, "coarse" often carries a more negative connotation. For example, "rough" sandpaper vs "coarse" language.