coarse /kɔːs $ kɔːrs/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Origin: Probably from course '(ordinary) way (of things)' ]
1 . having a rough surface that feels slightly hard SYN rough OPP smooth :
a jacket of coarse wool
2 . consisting of threads or parts that are thick or large OPP fine :
The coarse sand was hot and rough under her feet.
tufts of coarse grass
3 . talking in a rude and offensive way, especially about sex SYN crude :
coarse jokes
—coarsely adverb :
coarsely ground black pepper
—coarseness noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ rough having a surface that is not flat or smooth:
rough ground
|
a rough mountain path
|
The walls were all rough.
|
Her hands were rough and work-hardened.
▪ uneven an uneven surface has areas that are not flat or not all at the same level:
The floor was uneven.
|
She climbed the uneven steps with great care.
▪ bumpy a bumpy road, path, or area of land has a lot of holes and raised parts in it:
the bumpy track down to the farm
|
The field was too bumpy to play football on.
|
a bumpy journey (=on a road that has a very rough surface)
▪ coarse having a rough surface that feels slightly hard – used especially about materials such as cloth or wool:
coarse woollen blankets
|
coarse grass
|
The wool felt rather coarse.
▪ rugged /ˈrʌɡəd, ˈrʌɡɪd/ land that is rugged is very rough and uneven and is often in a high place:
the rugged terrain near the mountains