B2adverb 2K

Roughly

UK /["/ˈrʌfli/"]/ US /["/ˈrʌfli/"]/ Pronunciation

Definition

approximately but not exactly

Listen to definition

In simple words: Approximately, not exactly

Examples

• Sales are up by roughly 10 per cent.
• We live roughly halfway between here and the coast.
• They all left at roughly the same time.
• **Roughly speaking**, we receive about fifty letters a week on the subject.
• He pushed her roughly out of the way.
• ‘What do you want?’ she demanded roughly.
• roughly plastered walls

Usage notes

Use 'roughly' when you want to give an estimate or approximation. It’s neutral and suitable for most contexts, but avoid in very formal writing.

Grammar pattern

roughly + adverb/adjective/number

Memory hint

Think of a rough sea — it’s not calm, just approximately wild!

Collocations

• roughly speaking
• roughly estimated
• roughly the same
• roughly translates

Synonyms

• approximately
• about
• around
• nearly
• close to

Antonyms

• exactly
• precisely

Common mistakes

• Used in place of 'exactly' or 'precisely'.
• Incorrectly placed at the end of the sentence.
• Confused with 'rough' as an adjective.