rough
rough — verb
1. to accept a period of time without modern comforts such as a proper bed, running
to accept a period of time without modern comforts such as a proper bed, running water, or electricity, usually by choice while camping or travelling
On their hike, Samir and Jessica roughed it in a tiny tent for three nights.
phrase: rough it + in [place]
The cabin had no electricity, but the children did not mind roughing it all weekend.
Emre roughed it on a remote island instead of staying at a fancy hotel.
Iris and her friends roughed it by sleeping on the floor of an empty house.
phrase: rough it + by [method]
When the power went out, the whole family had to rough it by candlelight.
- rough it in
- rough it for
- rough it by
- camp out
more specific to sleeping outdoors in a tent
- live rough
British English; often suggests sleeping outside without shelter, not always by choice
- make do
broader meaning of managing with whatever is available
- live in luxury
opposite of accepting discomfort
- glamp
informal; camping with modern comforts
Grammar Patterns
rough + it
Usage Note
Always used in the fixed phrase 'rough it'. The object 'it' cannot be replaced with another noun or pronoun.
Common Mistakes
rough — noun
1. a drawing made quickly at the very beginning of a project, without fine details,
a drawing made quickly at the very beginning of a project, without fine details, to plan how the final version will look
Sora showed the client a rough of the poster before starting the final version.
rough + of + noun phrase for preliminary plans
The architect drew several roughs of the library entrance before choosing one design.
plural roughs meaning multiple quick sketches
Élise kept all her roughs in a notebook for future projects.
Before painting the mural, Darius made roughs of each section in pencil.
make roughs of [something]
- rough of
- make a rough
- draw a rough
- show a rough
- final version
the completed, polished piece after the rough stage
Grammar Patterns
rough + of + noun phrase
Usage Note
Countable noun. Usually refers to hand-drawn sketches in art, design, or architecture. The rough comes before the more detailed version.
Common Mistakes
2. the earliest, simplest version of something such as a piece of writing, a plan,
the earliest, simplest version of something such as a piece of writing, a plan, or a design, with only the main ideas and no small details yet
The first rough of the report was ten pages, but the final version had forty.
first rough → final version contrast
Indra wrote a rough of her speech on a napkin during lunch.
write + rough + of + noun phrase
The team reviewed a rough of the new website layout for early feedback.
Tomás submitted a rough of his essay so the teacher could suggest changes.
submit + rough + of [work] for feedback
- rough of
- write a rough
- first rough
- submit a rough
- review a rough
- final version
the complete, detailed product
- finished product
the polished end result
Grammar Patterns
rough + of + noun phrase
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1 (QUICK SKETCH): this sense applies to writing, plans, and designs — not only hand-drawn pictures. The thing it produces can be text, a layout, or a set of ideas.
Common Mistakes
3. a person who behaves in a threatening or physically violent way, especially as p
a person who behaves in a threatening or physically violent way, especially as part of a group
A group of roughs started shouting outside the stadium after the match ended.
group of roughs — usually appears in plural
The shopkeeper told the roughs to leave before the police arrived.
Local residents complained about the roughs who gathered on the street corner every night.
Hui warned her brother not to get involved with the roughs from the nearby estate.
informal British: roughs from [place]
- group of roughs
- the roughs
- thug
the more common modern word for a violent person
- troublemaker
broader; can describe someone who causes problems without necessarily being violent
- hooligan
specifically a young person who behaves violently in public, especially at sports events
Grammar Patterns
usually plural
Usage Note
Dated or regional British informal. Much less common in modern English than synonyms such as 'thug' or 'troublemaker'. Usually appears in plural. Avoid in formal writing.
Common Mistakes
4. on a golf course, the long grass, bushes, and wild plants at the edges of each h
on a golf course, the long grass, bushes, and wild plants at the edges of each hole that make the ball harder to play than on the short fairway grass
His ball landed in the rough, so his next shot was much harder than usual.
in the rough — golf position
The rough along the fairway was filled with thick grass and thorny bushes.
Vinícius spent five minutes searching for his ball in the deep rough.
deep rough — very thick grass
Good players keep the ball on the fairway to avoid the rough.
- the rough
- in the rough
- deep rough
- hit into the rough
- out of the rough
- fairway
the area of short grass on a golf course, opposite to the rough
Grammar Patterns
the rough
in the rough
deep rough
Usage Note
Uncountable. Always takes 'the': 'the rough'. Used only in the context of golf. The opposite is 'the fairway' — the short, mown grass where the ball is easy to play.
Common Mistakes
rough — adjective
1. A rough surface has an uneven top layer, covered with small bumps or ridges that
A rough surface has an uneven top layer, covered with small bumps or ridges that make it hard to walk on or slide a hand across easily.
The old stone path was rough and uneven, so walking on it felt unsteady.
collocation: rough + path / road / surface
Iris hurt her knee when she tripped on the rough ground outside the playground.
The carpenter sanded the rough wooden table until the top felt completely smooth.
contrast: rough → smooth after sanding
The rough walls of the cave scratched Zayd's jacket as he crawled through.
- rough surface
- rough road
- rough ground
- rough path
- rough wall
Usage Note
Commonly contrasts with 'smooth' when describing surfaces before and after treatment, such as sanding or paving.
Common Mistakes
2. If a material or a person's skin has a rough texture, it feels coarse against yo
If a material or a person's skin has a rough texture, it feels coarse against your fingers rather than soft or smooth.
The paper felt rough between Tamar's fingers, unlike the smooth pages of a new book.
tactile sensation: rough to the touch, contrasted with smooth
After working in the garden all morning, Greta's palms felt dry and rough.
Nia touched the rough fabric of the old armchair and found it uncomfortable.
The cat's tongue felt surprisingly rough when it licked Walid's hand after dinner.
- rough fabric
- rough paper
- rough skin
- rough texture
- rough cloth
Usage Note
Most often describes the feel of paper, fabric, skin, or animal tongues. Unlike sense 1, the focus is on tactile perception rather than visual unevenness.
3. describing an area of land that has not been cared for or prepared for use, with
describing an area of land that has not been cared for or prepared for use, with many wild plants, stones, and an uneven surface.
The children explored the rough land behind the village, pushing through tall grass and bushes.
collocation: rough land / rough ground
Farmers did not plant crops on the rough hillside because the soil was too rocky.
Paul kicked the ball into the rough area near the river where nobody ever walked.
Xiu's dog disappeared into the rough field and got lost among the tall wild plants.
- rough ground
- rough land
- rough field
- rough hillside
- wild
broader; describes nature that is not controlled by people
- uncultivated
more formal; land not used for farming
- cultivated
opposite — land that has been prepared for growing crops
- manicured
opposite — land that is carefully cut and maintained
Usage Note
Only used before a noun (rough land, rough ground, rough field). In golf, 'the rough' (noun) is the long-grass area beside the fairway — a related but separate meaning.
4. not detailed or fully correct; giving only a general idea or a close but not exa
not detailed or fully correct; giving only a general idea or a close but not exact number, amount, or plan.
The builder gave Shanti a rough estimate of how much the kitchen would cost.
collocation: rough estimate
Élise drew a rough map of the neighbourhood to help her friend find the cafe.
Ari had only a rough idea of the time, so he checked his watch again.
collocation: rough idea
The teacher asked for a rough count of the students on the trip.
used before noun with count, estimate, idea, draft, map
- rough estimate
- rough idea
- rough draft
- rough guess
- rough count
- rough map
- approximate
more formal; often used for numbers and calculations
- estimated
specifically about a calculated guess of amount or time
- general
broader; describes a wide overview without specific details
Usage Note
Frequently appears in fixed phrases like 'rough estimate', 'rough idea', 'rough draft', and 'rough guess'. Almost always used before a noun in this sense.
Common Mistakes
5. If a wine or another strong alcoholic drink tastes rough, it is cheap, sharp, an
If a wine or another strong alcoholic drink tastes rough, it is cheap, sharp, and unpleasant on your tongue.
The only drink at the party was a sour, rough red wine that tasted cheap.
collocation: rough wine / rough cider / rough whisky
Rafael tried some rough cider and made a face at its strong taste.
Jude bought a cheap bottle of rough whisky for the camping trip.
The rough house wine at the small cafe gave Dewi a headache the next morning.
- rough wine
- rough cider
- rough whisky
- rough drink
Usage Note
Almost always describes alcoholic drinks, especially wine, cider, or whisky. Rarely used for food or non-alcoholic drinks.
6. made or built in a simple way without careful finishing, using basic materials a
made or built in a simple way without careful finishing, using basic materials and little attention to detail.
Christopher's rough coat was made of thick cheap material that kept him warm.
The children slept on rough wooden beds in the old mountain cabin.
collocation: rough wooden [furniture, shelter, bed]
The artist's early works were rough sketches on any paper she could find.
Amelia's family lived in a rough shelter built from old wood and metal.
- rough wooden
- rough shelter
- rough coat
- rough sketch
- rough cut
- basic
describes something simple with no extra features
- crude
more negative; suggests something is poorly or roughly made
- unfinished
describes something that has not been fully completed or polished
Usage Note
Describes objects that are made simply and without effort to improve the appearance. Not the same as 'broken' or 'damaged' — the thing still works, it just does not look well finished.
7. (of a voice or a sound) harsh, loud, and not pleasant to listen to.
(of a voice or a sound) harsh, loud, and not pleasant to listen to.
Mira's voice sounded rough after she shouted all afternoon at the match.
sound/look/feel + rough for sensory quality
The rough noise from the broken speaker made it hard to hear the news.
Christopher tried to soften his rough tone when speaking to the young child.
rough + tone / voice / sound — common noun collocations
A rough scraping sound came from behind the wall late at night.
- rough voice
- rough sound
- rough tone
- rough noise
- smooth
of a voice / sound — even, steady, and pleasant to hear
Common Mistakes
8. (of an engine or machine) making uneven, unpleasant noises because something is
(of an engine or machine) making uneven, unpleasant noises because something is broken or needs care.
Nora knew the car engine was rough because it shook and made a loud knocking sound.
rough engine / rough motor — describing machinery in poor condition
The washing machine sounded rough, so Sahil called a repairman the next morning.
A rough sound from the old fan meant it was time to buy a new one.
The boat's motor felt rough after the long trip across the lake.
feel rough — using sense verbs with machines
- rough engine
- rough motor
- sound rough
- run rough
- feel rough
- smooth
of an engine — running evenly and quietly without problems
Usage Note
This sense is restricted to machines and engines. To describe a voice or a general unpleasant sound, use sense 7 (SOUND) instead.
Common Mistakes
9. involving violence, danger, or crime; describing a place or situation where peop
involving violence, danger, or crime; describing a place or situation where people may get hurt or treated badly.
Hoa was warned not to walk alone at night in that rough part of town.
rough + area / neighbourhood / part of town — describing a dangerous place
Aoi got into a rough fight outside the club and ended up with a black eye.
Life was rough for the street children, who had no one to protect them.
rough + life / upbringing / childhood — harsh living conditions
The prison was known as a rough place where new inmates had to be very careful.
- rough area
- rough neighbourhood
- rough part of town
- rough crowd
- rough fight
- safe
free from danger, violence, or crime
Usage Note
While this sense often describes places (rough neighbourhood) or situations (rough fight), it can also describe people: a rough crowd means a group likely to cause trouble.
Common Mistakes
10. (of the weather, water conditions, or a sea journey) marked by very strong winds
(of the weather, water conditions, or a sea journey) marked by very strong winds, high waves, and dangerous movement that makes travel risky.
The fishing boats stayed in the harbour because the sea was too rough.
the sea / the water / the waves + is/are rough — weather/sea conditions
Élise felt sick when the ocean became rough during the ferry ride.
Rough weather forced the airport to close for several hours on Tuesday.
rough weather — common fixed collocation
The sailors prepared for a rough night as the wind grew stronger after sunset.
- rough sea
- rough water
- rough weather
- rough crossing
- rough night
- calm
of weather or the sea — quiet, with light winds and smooth water
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 9 (VIOLENT): rough weather is not morally violent — it is physically wild and dangerous. A rough sea has big waves; a rough neighbourhood has crime.
Common Mistakes
11. full of difficulty, problems, or unpleasant experiences — used about a period of
full of difficulty, problems, or unpleasant experiences — used about a period of time or a situation.
Cyrus had a rough time at work after his manager left the company suddenly.
have a rough time / have a rough day — common fixed phrases
The family next door went through a rough period when the father lost his job.
It was a rough year for small shops in the town centre after the new mall opened.
Kwame found it rough to adjust to a new school in a different country.
find it rough to + infinitive — describing a challenging experience
- rough time
- rough day
- rough week
- rough year
- rough period
- rough patch
- easy
not difficult or unpleasant; smooth and comfortable
Usage Note
This sense is always about a period, situation, or experience — not about a task or object being difficult to do. You have a rough day, but you do not have rough homework.
Common Mistakes
12. not feeling well; slightly ill or unwell — used after verbs such as feel, look,
not feeling well; slightly ill or unwell — used after verbs such as feel, look, or sound.
David felt rough after eating something that had gone bad in the fridge.
feel rough — informal British expression for feeling unwell
The teacher looked rough and said she would go home to rest for the day.
Kemi sounded rough on the phone, so her friend offered to bring her soup.
The child looked rough this morning, so the nurse took her temperature straight away.
look rough / sound rough — describing appearance of illness
- feel rough
- look rough
- sound rough
- fine
feeling well and healthy
Usage Note
Frequently used with linking verbs (feel, look, sound, seem). Cannot be placed before a noun (you cannot say a rough person to mean a sick person). This usage is British and informal; in American English, rough is not commonly used for illness.
Common Mistakes
To face many problems or to cause problems for someone during an activity.
Maya had a rough ride during her first year of medical school.
The new manager gave the team a rough ride with his strict rules.
To experience many difficulties while doing something, or to cause difficulties for someone.
Brian had a rough ride when he started his own business.
Did the reporters give the politician a rough ride at the press conference?
a rough deal
idiomA situation where someone is not treated fairly or justly.
Sara got a rough deal when her boss blamed her for the mistake.
The workers felt they received a rough deal in the contract negotiations.
To have small imperfections or areas that need improvement, especially in a performance or personality.
The band's live show still has some rough edges but it's improving.
Diego is rough around the edges, but he has a kind heart.
A situation where someone is treated badly or receives unfair treatment.
Min got the rough end of the pineapple when the project failed.
In the merger, the small company got the rough end of the pineapple.
rough — adverb
1. in a way that uses physical force, not gently or carefully — for example, childr
in a way that uses physical force, not gently or carefully — for example, children playing too roughly with each other, or someone handling an object without care.
The older boys were playing rough in the park and accidentally hurt a toddler.
play rough — informal collocation
Hiro's coach told the team they were training too rough and needed to slow down.
Marta warned the movers not to handle her grandmother's antique cabinet rough.
handle [sth] rough — informal pattern
It was clear the players were treating each other too rough during warm-up.
- play rough
- handle [something] rough
- treat [someone] rough
- train rough
- roughly
the standard adverb form; 'rough' is only used in informal fixed phrases
- violently
stronger connotation of causing harm; more formal than 'rough'
- forcefully
neutral register; broader meaning including non-physical force
Grammar Patterns
play rough
handle [sth] rough
treat [sb] rough
Usage Note
Frequently occurs in fixed informal collocations such as 'play rough', 'handle [something] rough', and 'treat [someone] rough'. This adverbial use is not used in formal writing — use 'roughly' instead.
Common Mistakes
2. living or sleeping outdoors without basic comforts such as a bed, shelter, or ru
living or sleeping outdoors without basic comforts such as a bed, shelter, or running water — often used to describe people who have no home or are camping in a very basic way.
After losing his job, Tunde had nowhere to go and slept rough for three months.
sleep rough — collocation for living homeless
The charity provides hot meals for people who sleep rough during the cold winter.
Apinya's grandfather once lived rough for a year while travelling through Southeast Asia.
live rough — collocation for basic outdoor living
Owen could not believe his cousin chose to live rough in a tent all summer.
- sleep rough
- live rough
Grammar Patterns
sleep rough
live rough
Usage Note
Used primarily with the verbs 'sleep' and 'live' in the fixed phrases 'sleep rough' and 'live rough'. The subject is typically a person who lacks housing or chooses to live without modern amenities.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- roughlyadverbB1
- roughnessnounB2
- roughenverbC1
- roughingnounB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/1
Uneven focuses on a lack of levelness or regularity, while rough adds a sense of tactile unpleasantness or poor condition. Coarse emphasizes thick, large-grained texture (e.g. coarse sand or coarse wool) and is more about material composition than surface feel. Tough describes resistance to tearing or breaking — a tough steak may feel smooth, while rough bread is scratchy. Harsh extends across sensory experiences beyond touch, especially sound, light, and weather (harsh sunlight). Approximate is the formal counterpart of the NOT EXACT sense (adjective/4), used for numbers and calculations. Violent is the strongest, implying intentional physical force or aggression. As an everyday word, rough fills all these roles naturally: a rough road (uneven), rough fabric (coarse), rough seas (stormy), a rough guess (approximate), and a rough area (dangerous).
Common collocations
Nouns
- rough draft
- rough estimate
- rough patch
- rough terrain
- rough night
- rough going
Adverbs
- roughly
- a bit rough
- pretty rough
Phrases
- rough it
- sleep rough
- take the rough with the smooth
- rough and ready
- rough cut
Prepositions
- in the rough (golf)
- rough around the edges
- rough on (someone)
Etymology
From Old English rūh, meaning 'hairy, coarse, shaggy'. It comes from Proto-West Germanic *rūhw and is related to Old High German rūh and Old Norse hrjófr. The modern spelling with '-gh' settled in Middle English. Over time, the word expanded from describing a shaggy or uneven surface to covering approximation, difficulty, violence, stormy weather, and rough texture.