# raw /ˈɹɑ/ (US) · /ɹˈɔː/ (UK) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/raw Updated: 2026-06-19 ## Senses ### 1. uncooked food adjective · CEFR A2 food that has not been cooked. For teachers: describing food in its natural state, not having been subjected to heat or cooking processes. - You should always wash your hands after touching raw meat. - The chef prepared a delicate carpaccio of raw beef, sliced paper-thin and drizzled with a truffle-infused olive oil. ### 2. unprocessed materials adjective · CEFR B1 materials in their natural state before they are treated or changed by a factory. For teachers: referring to substances or materials in their natural, unrefined state before industrial processing. - The factory imports raw silk from Asia to make expensive clothing. - The country's economy relies heavily on the export of raw materials like iron ore and timber rather than finished goods. ### 3. unfiltered emotion adjective · CEFR B2 feelings that are very strong, honest, and not hidden. For teachers: describing emotions or qualities that are powerful, undisguised, and perhaps painful in their honesty. - The singer's voice was full of raw emotion during the sad song. - The documentary captures the raw grief of the survivors, refusing to look away from their most vulnerable moments. ### 4. unanalysed data adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical information or facts that have not been organised or studied yet. For teachers: referring to data or statistics that have been collected but not yet processed, cleaned, or analysed. - We need to look at the raw data before we write the final report. - The researcher spent weeks cleaning the raw data to ensure that the final statistical model would be accurate and reliable. ### 5. cold and damp weather adjective · CEFR B2 weather that is unpleasantly cold, damp, and windy. For teachers: describing weather conditions that are unpleasantly cold and moist, often causing physical discomfort. - It was a raw morning with a grey sky and a freezing wind. - The raw November wind cut through his thin coat, making the walk to the station feel much longer than usual. ### 6. inexperienced adjective · CEFR B2 new to a job or activity and lacking training. For teachers: lacking experience, refinement, or training in a particular field or activity. - The coach had to turn a group of raw recruits into a winning team. - Despite his raw talent, the young pianist lacked the technical discipline required for a professional concert career. ### 7. sore skin adjective · CEFR B2 skin that is red and painful because it has been rubbed or hurt. For teachers: having the surface skin abraded or removed, resulting in a sensitive and painful area. - His heels were raw after walking all day in new shoes. - The constant friction from the heavy straps had left her shoulders raw and blistered by the end of the hike. ### 8. without a condom adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang · Vulgar having sex without using a condom. For teachers: referring to sexual intercourse performed without the use of a condom. - They decided to go raw because they were in a committed relationship. - Public health officials warned that going raw significantly increases the risk of transmitting infections among casual partners. ### 9. a sensitive point noun · CEFR C2 · Literary a subject or topic that makes someone feel very upset or angry. For teachers: a metaphorical sensitive spot or a subject that causes immediate emotional distress when mentioned. - Mentioning his failed business was touching a raw with him. - The journalist's question about the senator's early career clearly touched a raw, prompting an uncharacteristically sharp rebuttal. ### 10. to have unprotected sex verb · CEFR C2 · Slang · Vulgar to have sex with someone without using a condom. For teachers: to engage in sexual penetration without the use of a prophylactic; used transitively. - He was worried after he rawed her without asking about her health. - The explicit lyrics of the song frequently mention rawing as a sign of intimacy or recklessness. ## Examples - I prefer raw carrots to cooked ones. - The chef prepares the sushi using only the highest quality raw fish delivered this morning. - The researcher spent weeks cleaning the raw data before any meaningful statistical patterns could be identified from the survey results. --- From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.