# roughness

/ˈɹəfnəs/ (US) · /ɹˈʌfnəs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/roughness
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

the quality of having a surface that is not smooth. It can also describe a person's voice or behavior that is not polite or gentle.

For teachers: the quality of being uneven or not smooth in texture; the state of being coarse or unrefined in manner or voice.

## Examples

- The roughness of the sandpaper made it easy to scratch the wood.
- Engineers must measure the surface roughness of the turbine blades to ensure they do not cause excessive friction.
- While the technical specifications required a mirror finish, the artisan preferred the subtle roughness of the hand-hewn stone, finding it more aesthetically pleasing and tactile.

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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.