Adjective He trimmed the rough edge of the paper. We traveled over rough dirt roads. They hiked through rough terrain. We were a bit shaken from the plane's rough landing. He went through a rough patch after his divorce. They've hit a few rough spots in their marriage. Despite a rough start, the team won more games this season than last. Adverb The engine is running a little rough. Life has been treating her pretty rough. He plays rough with the dog. people living rough on the streets Noun He hit his drive into the rough. He showed me a few roughs of the new building. Verb He was called for roughing the kicker. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Marshall made the playoffs last year playing in District 29-6A but has found the going rough this season in a new district. Jim Martinez, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Sep. 2022 That’s a pretty rough deal for cats that topple out at approximately two to five stories. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2022 The doorways of defunct nightclubs are crowded with those sleeping rough. Megan Specia, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022 In skin care, there are few things as challenging as the quest to refine rough, bumpy skin texture. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2022 Offensive line bounces back After a particularly rough practice Wednesday trying to protect Herbert, the Chargers’ offensive front rebounded with a more encouraging performance Thursday. Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2022 The same goes for dogs that like to play rough with their beds and dig and scratch the surface. Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2022 Just don't get too rough; nobody wants to head to the ER on a holiday. Lizz Schumer, Good Housekeeping, 10 Aug. 2022 Hunt, who had as rough as upbringing as almost anyone in the NFL, has a deep love for the game, and an overwhelming loyalty to the city of Cleveland.cleveland, 7 Aug. 2022
Adverb
Just as Hoss brings her skills as a violinist to the part, young cellist Sophie Kauer adds authenticity in her impressive first acting role as the rough-edged but preternaturally poised Olga. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2022 Simply twist the rough-dry tool attachment to activate the flyaway mode to smooth hair for a sleek finish. Katie Intner, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 June 2022 The interior is rich and inviting, sporting natural materials such as wood and rough-cut stone. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 July 2022 But instead of its wild side being inaccessible to most, this system’s rough-cut gem spins off an easy trail less than a mile from a trailhead and appeals to hikers with a sense of adventure, experience, and sturdy boots with good traction. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 31 Mar. 2022 Alex Borstein, who plays Susie Myerson, Midge’s rough-around-the-edges manager, also saw filming as a brief escape from the anxieties of the pandemic. Meg Donohue, Town & Country, 25 Feb. 2022 At first, her encounters with De Casta’s Chief, a rough-talking teenage parking attendant, only reinforce her frosty disdain. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Jan. 2022 Playing on a field left rough and rutted by a weekend music event, Vancouver broke in front in the 15th minute on a counter-attack goal from Dájome, his 10th of the season. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2021 Hotel staff stayed on while the country mostly shut down, collaborating with rough-sleeping charities round the clock. Shafi Musaddique, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Dec. 2021
Noun
Marx’s drive landed beneath a tree in the right rough.San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2022 Champ managed to chip out onto the primary rough, then scoot up the fairway.BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021 Champ managed to chip out onto the primary rough, then scoot up the fairway.BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021 Champ managed to chip out onto the primary rough, then scoot up the fairway.BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021 Champ managed to chip out onto the primary rough, then scoot up the fairway.BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021 The left rough awaited him on No. 4 as well, as did a greenside bunker on No. 7. Tim Reynolds, ajc, 27 Feb. 2022 Champ managed to chip out onto the primary rough, then scoot up the fairway.BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021 His wedge shot on No. 12, from the right rough, landed on the front of the green, rolled and rolled and rolled … and then disappeared into the hole for eagle, abruptly vaulting Homa one shot behind McNealy. Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 19 Sep. 2021
Verb
Instead, Lukashenko’s thuggish enforcers at GUBOPiK have a green light to rough up activists and target their families. Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2022 Again, having been shut out of spring practice, this is our first chance to rough out some answers to those questions. Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Aug. 2022 Hydro Flask Outdoor Kitchen Collection $20 – $75 THE PROMISE: Kitchenware that’s ready to rough it, but sleek enough for fancy backyard cookouts.Outside Online, 14 Aug. 2020 Last season, when the going to rough against the Bucks in the playoffs, the Heat wilted. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2022 Glamping is for those who don’t want to rough it too much but do want a close-to-camping-outdoors experience. Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2022 Last season, when the going to rough against the Bucks in the playoffs, the Heat wilted. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2022 While Taylor and her then-husband, actor Richard Burton, were filming on location in Mexico in the 1960s, Burton sent his bodyguards after Mr. Galella to rough him up and confiscate his film.Washington Post, 5 May 2022 Last season, when the going to rough against the Bucks in the playoffs, the Heat wilted. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Old English rūh; akin to Old High German rūh rough, Lithuanian raukas wrinkle
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a