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raw

adj. · n. · v.
US //ˈɹɑ// UK //ɹˈɔː// raw
  1. 1 uncooked food (adj.)
    A2 Elementary Cooking

    food that has not been cooked.

    describing food in its natural state, not having been subjected to heat or cooking processes.

    Example

    You should always wash your hands after touching raw meat.

    Example

    The chef prepared a delicate carpaccio of raw beef, sliced paper-thin and drizzled with a truffle-infused olive oil.
  2. 2 unprocessed materials (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    materials in their natural state before they are treated or changed by a factory.

    referring to substances or materials in their natural, unrefined state before industrial processing.

    Example

    The factory imports raw silk from Asia to make expensive clothing.

    Example

    The country's economy relies heavily on the export of raw materials like iron ore and timber rather than finished goods.
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  1. 3 unfiltered emotion (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    feelings that are very strong, honest, and not hidden.

    describing emotions or qualities that are powerful, undisguised, and perhaps painful in their honesty.

    Example

    The singer's voice was full of raw emotion during the sad song.

    Example

    The documentary captures the raw grief of the survivors, refusing to look away from their most vulnerable moments.
  2. 4 unanalysed data (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    information or facts that have not been organised or studied yet.

    referring to data or statistics that have been collected but not yet processed, cleaned, or analysed.

    Example

    We need to look at the raw data before we write the final report.

    Example

    The researcher spent weeks cleaning the raw data to ensure that the final statistical model would be accurate and reliable.
  3. 5 cold and damp weather (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    weather that is unpleasantly cold, damp, and windy.

    describing weather conditions that are unpleasantly cold and moist, often causing physical discomfort.

    Example

    It was a raw morning with a grey sky and a freezing wind.

    Example

    The raw November wind cut through his thin coat, making the walk to the station feel much longer than usual.
  4. 6 inexperienced (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    new to a job or activity and lacking training.

    lacking experience, refinement, or training in a particular field or activity.

    Example

    The coach had to turn a group of raw recruits into a winning team.

    Example

    Despite his raw talent, the young pianist lacked the technical discipline required for a professional concert career.
  5. 7 sore skin (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    skin that is red and painful because it has been rubbed or hurt.

    having the surface skin abraded or removed, resulting in a sensitive and painful area.

    Example

    His heels were raw after walking all day in new shoes.

    Example

    The constant friction from the heavy straps had left her shoulders raw and blistered by the end of the hike.
  6. 8 without a condom (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Vulgar

    having sex without using a condom.

    referring to sexual intercourse performed without the use of a condom.

    Example

    They decided to go raw because they were in a committed relationship.

    Example

    Public health officials warned that going raw significantly increases the risk of transmitting infections among casual partners.
  7. 9 a sensitive point (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    a subject or topic that makes someone feel very upset or angry.

    a metaphorical sensitive spot or a subject that causes immediate emotional distress when mentioned.

    Example

    Mentioning his failed business was touching a raw with him.

    Example

    The journalist's question about the senator's early career clearly touched a raw, prompting an uncharacteristically sharp rebuttal.
    • sore point
    • weak spot
  8. 10 to have unprotected sex (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang Vulgar

    to have sex with someone without using a condom.

    to engage in sexual penetration without the use of a prophylactic; used transitively.

    Example

    He was worried after he rawed her without asking about her health.

    Example

    The explicit lyrics of the song frequently mention rawing as a sign of intimacy or recklessness.

Origin

From Middle English rawe, raw, rau, from Old English hrēaw (“raw, uncooked”), from Proto-West Germanic hrau, from Proto-Germanic hrawaz, hrēwaz (“raw”), from Proto-Indo-European krewh₂- (“raw meat, fresh blood”). Cognate with Scots raw (“raw”), Dutch rauw (“raw”), German roh (“raw”), Swedish rå (“raw”), Icelandic hrár (“raw”), Latin crūdus (“raw, bloody, uncooked”), Irish cró (“blood”), Lithuanian kraujas (“blood”), Russian кровь (krovʹ, “blood”). Related also to Old English hrēow, hrēoh (“rough, fierce, wild, angry, disturbed, troubled, sad, stormy, tempestuous”). More at ree.

Idioms1 entry

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