adj.
Pronunciation: ' härsh
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English harsk, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian harsk harsh
Date: 14th century
1 : having a coarse uneven surface that is rough or unpleasant to the touch
2 a : causing a disagreeable or painful sensory reaction : IRRITATING b : physically discomforting : PAINFUL
3 : unduly exacting : SEVERE
4 : lacking in aesthetic appeal or refinement : CRUDE
synonyms see ROUGH
– harsh · ly adverb
– harsh · ness noun