B1adjective2K

Rough

UK /["/rʌf/"]/US /["/rʌf/"]/

Definition

having a surface that is not even or regular

In simple words: Not smooth; having a lot of bumps or uneven areas.

Examples

The surface of the table is quite rough, making it difficult to write on.
He has a rough outer appearance, but is very kindhearted.
Her rough experience during the hike taught her valuable lessons.
The weather was rough, with strong winds and heavy rain.
The artist prefers to work with rough sketches before creating a polished piece.
He gave a rough estimate of the costs for the project.
After a rough day at work, she wanted to relax at home.
The roads were rough after the storm, making driving challenging.

Usage notes

Use 'rough' to describe surfaces, textures, or conditions that are not smooth or gentle. It can also refer to someone being harsh or unfriendly in behavior. It is generally neutral but may sound informal in some contexts. Avoid using 'rough' in very formal writing.

Grammar pattern

rough + noun

Memory hint

Think of a 'rough' road with bumps — it needs to be smoothed out!

Collocations

rough surface
rough estimate
rough terrain
rough times
rough texture

Synonyms

bumpy
uneven
harsh
coarse
rugged

Antonyms

smooth
soft
gentle

Common mistakes

Confused with 'ruff', which is a dog sound.
Using 'rough' instead of 'tough' when talking about difficulty.
'Roughness' is sometimes incorrectly used for subjects, instead of describing physical texture.