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REFERENCE

rough

adj. · n. · v. · adv.
US //ˈɹəf// UK //ɹˈʌf// rough
  1. 1 not smooth (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    having an uneven surface that is not smooth to the touch.

    having an uneven or irregular surface; not smooth or polished.

    Example

    The bark of the old oak tree felt rough against my hand.

    Example

    The mountain path became increasingly rough as we ascended, with loose stones making every step a potential hazard.
  2. 2 approximate (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    not exact or detailed; a quick guess or a basic version.

    not fully worked out or detailed; approximate or preliminary in nature.

    Example

    I can give you a rough estimate of the cost by tomorrow morning.

    Example

    The architect presented a rough sketch of the proposed extension to give the clients a general sense of the spatial layout.
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  1. 3 difficult or unpleasant (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    difficult to deal with or causing suffering.

    characterised by hardship, difficulty, or unpleasant conditions.

    Example

    He had a rough day at work and just wanted to go home.

    Example

    The local economy went through a rough patch following the closure of the main manufacturing plant in the valley.
  2. 4 dangerous or violent (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a place that is dangerous or a person who uses too much force.

    characterised by violence, disorder, or a lack of gentleness.

    Example

    The neighborhood used to be quite rough, but it is much safer now.

    Example

    The referee warned the players that he would not tolerate rough play during the second half of the match.
  3. 5 feeling unwell (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English Informal

    feeling sick or tired, often because of a lack of sleep or too much alcohol.

    feeling unwell or physically exhausted; frequently used to describe the effects of a hangover.

    Example

    I'm feeling a bit rough this morning after staying up so late.

    Example

    He looked remarkably rough during the meeting, clearly suffering the consequences of the previous night's celebrations.
  4. 6 golf course grass (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    the area of long grass on a golf course.

    the area of long, unmown grass bordering the fairway on a golf course.

    Example

    His ball landed in the rough, making his next shot very difficult.

    Example

    The tournament organisers deliberately allowed the rough to grow longer to increase the difficulty of the final round.
    • fairway
  5. 7 to live simply (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to live without comfort or basic things for a short time, like when camping.

    to live in uncomfortable or primitive conditions, typically by choice or necessity.

    Example

    We decided to rough it in a tent for the weekend instead of booking a hotel.

    Example

    The researchers had to rough it in the jungle for three months while they tracked the migration patterns of the local wildlife.

    Usage

    Usually used in the phrase 'rough it'.
  6. 8 in a harsh way (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    acting in a way that is not gentle.

    in a manner that lacks gentleness or refinement.

    Example

    Don't play rough with the puppy or you might hurt him.

    Example

    The political campaign started to play rough as the election date approached, with both sides releasing aggressive advertisements.

    Usage

    Often used in the phrase 'play rough'.
Origin

From Middle English rough, roughe, roȝe, row, rou, ru, ruȝ, ruh, from Old English rūg, rūh, from Proto-Germanic *rūhaz. Cognate with Scots ruch, rouch (“rough”), Saterland Frisian ruuch, rouch (“rough”), West Frisian rûch (“rough”), Low German ruuch (“rough”), Dutch ruig (“rough”), German rau(h) (“rough”), Danish ru (“uneven on the surface, "rough", "rugged"”).

Word family
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