slightly rough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly rough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a minor degree of roughness or unevenness, whether in texture, behavior, or quality. Example: "The fabric felt slightly rough against my skin, but I loved the design."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

EM conditions which describe wall roughness into classes, smooth, slightly rough, moderately rough, and very rough can be seen in [20], which furthermore provides a good introduction to modeling rough surfaces via radar.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Surface roughness (0 to 3): 0= smooth surface; 1= slightly rough; 2= rough; no new finish allowed; 3= deep pitted surfaces, irregular fissures.

Clinical Oral Investigations

Though deeply sincere, they are slightly rough in execution.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The custom figurines have a slightly rough texture.

The New York Times

Out on the road, he blamed the carburetor for a slightly rough idle.

The New York Times

(Highly durable and slightly rough to look at, the paint is surprisingly smooth to the touch).

The Guardian - Arts

It's wet, warm and slightly rough – a bit like being licked by a big cat.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Her sound, though pulsing with expressivity, has a slightly rough-hewn quality.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a close, slightly rough-sounding recording, with unerasable audience hollers and claps and talking.

The New York Times

If your prepped wall is slightly rough-looking, select a flatter finish, which tends to hide imperfections.

The New York Times

When tasting a range of his wines, from several vintages, I noticed considerable variation, from the elegant, sharply focused 2010s to the almost plush 2009s to the slightly rough-hewn, almost tannic 2008s.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly rough" to temper potentially negative impressions, softening a criticism, for example: "The initial draft was slightly rough, but showed promise."

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "slightly rough" in formal contexts. While acceptable, more precise language can enhance clarity and sophistication. Consider alternatives that offer greater nuance, like "moderately uneven" or "somewhat unrefined".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly rough" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying nouns to indicate a minor degree of roughness or unevenness. As Ludwig points out, it appears across various contexts to add detail or nuance to descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly rough" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe something that is not perfectly smooth, with a minor degree of unevenness or coarseness. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general-interest writing. While acceptable in formal writing, consider using more precise language for enhanced clarity. The phrase is frequently used in "News & Media", "Science" and "Wiki", and alternatives like "a bit uneven" or "somewhat coarse" can be used for variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit uneven

Focuses on the lack of uniformity rather than texture.

just a little coarse

Expresses a minimal level of roughness in texture.

somewhat coarse

Emphasizes the texture being not entirely smooth, with a focus on graininess.

hardly polished

Focuses on the absence of refinement.

mildly bumpy

Specifically describes a surface with small, raised areas.

somewhat unrefined

Indicates a lack of smoothness and elegance.

a touch scratchy

Implies a very light, irritating roughness.

subtly textured

Highlights the presence of a delicate surface pattern.

barely smooth

Highlights the almost complete absence of smoothness.

faintly abrasive

Suggests a very slight capability of causing wear or friction.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly rough" in a sentence?

"Slightly rough" is generally used to describe textures, surfaces, or qualities that are not perfectly smooth or refined. For example, "The fabric felt slightly rough against my skin" or "The performance had a slightly rough edge, but it was still enjoyable."

What are some alternatives to "slightly rough"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a bit uneven", "somewhat coarse", or "mildly bumpy".

Is it appropriate to use "slightly rough" in formal writing?

While "slightly rough" is acceptable, it's best to consider more precise and nuanced language for formal writing to enhance clarity. For instance, "somewhat unrefined" or "hardly polished".

What does it mean for something to be "slightly rough"?

When something is described as "slightly rough", it implies that it has a texture or quality that is not entirely smooth or refined, possessing a minor degree of unevenness or coarseness.