/ rʌf; NAmE / adjective , noun , verb , adverb
■ adjective
( rough·er , rough·est )
NOT SMOOTH
1.
having a surface that is not even or regular :
rough ground
The skin on her hands was hard and rough.
Trim rough edges with a sharp knife.
OPP smooth
NOT EXACT
2.
not exact; not including all details
SYN approximate :
a rough calculation / estimate of the cost
I've got a rough idea of where I want to go.
There were about 20 people there, at a rough guess .
a rough draft of a speech
a rough sketch
VIOLENT
3.
not gentle or careful; violent :
This watch is not designed for rough treatment.
They complained of rough handling by the guards.
rough kids
Don't try any rough stuff with me!
4.
where there is a lot of violence or crime :
the roughest neighbourhood in the city
SEA
5.
having large and dangerous waves :
It was too rough to sail that night.
WEATHER
6.
wild and with storms
DIFFICULT
7.
difficult and unpleasant
SYN tough :
He's had a really rough time recently (= he's had a lot of problems) .
We'll get someone in to do the rough work (= the hard physical work) .
NOT WELL
8.
( BrE ) not feeling well :
You look rough—are you OK?
I had a rough night (= I didn't sleep well) .
PLAIN / BASIC
9.
simply made and not finished in every detail; plain or basic :
rough wooden tables
a rough track
( BrE )
rough paper for making notes on
NOT SMOOTH
10.
not smooth or pleasant to taste, listen to, etc. :
a rough wine / voice
► rough·ness noun [ U ]
—see also roughly
•
IDIOMS
- rough edges
- the rough end of the pineapple
- a rough deal
—more at ride noun
■ noun
IN GOLF
1.
the rough [ sing. ] the part of a golf course where the grass is long, making it more difficult to hit the ball
—picture at golf
—compare fairway
DRAWING / DESIGN
2.
[ C ] ( technical ) the first version of a drawing or design that has been done quickly and without much detail
VIOLENT PERSON
3.
[ C ] ( old-fashioned , informal ) a violent person :
a gang of roughs
•
IDIOMS
- in rough
- take the rough with the smooth
—more at bit
■ verb
•
IDIOMS
- rough it
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- rough sth out
- rough sb up
■ adverb
using force or violence :
Do they always play this rough?
•
IDIOMS
- live / sleep rough
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English rūh , of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch ruw and German rauh .