Asperity
/əˈspɛrɪti/
nounC1
Definition
Asperity is the quality of being harsh, rough, or severe. It can refer to a person's voice or behavior that sounds sharp or unfriendly, or to a surface that feels rough when you touch it. It is often used to describe a negative or uncomfortable feeling caused by this harshness.
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See It in Action
Harshness or sharpness in tone, manner, or behavior
- •His asperity made the conversation uncomfortable for everyone.
- •She spoke with asperity when she was upset.
- •The manager's asperity discouraged the employees from asking questions.
Roughness or unevenness of a surface
- •You can feel the asperity of the old wooden table.
- •The mountain's asperity made climbing difficult.
- •The fabric's asperity was uncomfortable against the skin.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "asperity" like "rough" (A1 word), but for behavior or sound, not just touch—it means sharp or harsh in how something feels or sounds
- ✓Picture touching a rough rock with sharp edges that hurt your hand, or hearing a voice that feels like that roughness but with words
- ✓It's the feeling you get when someone speaks sharply to you, making you feel uncomfortable or upset
- ✓Sounds like "a-SPARE-it-tee" → imagine someone being "spare" with kindness, giving very little softness or care, only harsh words
- ✓Remember a teacher scolding a student with a hard, sharp voice—that strict, unfriendly tone is asperity
- ✓NOT like "kindness" (soft and gentle), asperity is the opposite: hard and unpleasant
- ✓NOT like "smooth" (soft surface), asperity means rough or uneven surface or manner
- ✓NOT like "anger" (strong feeling), asperity is about how that anger or criticism feels—harsh and cutting, not just angry
Try Other Words
- •Harshness: severity or strictness in tone or behavior (Use when focusing on unpleasant or strict manner)
- •Severity: strictness or seriousness (Use when emphasizing strict rules or punishment)
- •Roughness: uneven or coarse surface or texture (Use when describing physical texture)
- •Sharpness: clear and intense quality, often unpleasant (Use when describing tone or edges)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: From Latin "asper" meaning rough or harsh + suffix "-ity" meaning quality or state
- •Etymology: From Latin "asperitas," meaning roughness or harshness
- •Historical development: Used since the 15th century in English to describe physical roughness and harsh behavior or tone
- •Modern usage: Mostly used in formal or literary contexts to describe sharpness in speech, behavior, or texture
- •Key insight: Asperity links both physical roughness and harsh manner, showing how the same word can describe a feeling or a surface
Reflect & Connect
•How can asperity in someone's tone affect a conversation or relationship?
•Can asperity ever be useful or necessary in communication? When might it be?
Fill in the blanks
1.The teacher's asperity ___ the students, making them afraid to ask questions.
2.You can feel the asperity of the stone because it is ___ and uneven.
3.Unlike gentle speech, asperity often shows ___ or impatience.
4.When she spoke with asperity, her words ___ the listeners deeply.
5.The mountain's asperity made the climb ___ and dangerous.
6.Asperity in someone's voice usually ___ a negative or serious emotion.
7.The fabric's asperity made it ___ to wear for long periods.