Crude
/kruːd/
adjectivenounB2
Definition
Crude describes something that is not made carefully or is rough and simple. It can mean something natural and not changed, like crude oil, or something rude and not polite, like crude words. It often shows a lack of detail, skill, or politeness.
Was this helpful?
⚡ See It in Action
Rough, simple, or not carefully made or done
- •The carpenter’s first model was crude but useful.
- •The map was crude, showing only main roads.
- •He made a crude shelter from branches and leaves.
Natural and not processed (especially oil or materials)
- •Crude oil is taken from the ground and then refined into fuel.
- •The factory processes crude materials into finished products.
Rude or offensive in speech or behavior
- •His crude joke offended many people.
- •She was shocked by his crude language.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "crude" like "simple," but with a rough or unfinished feeling—it is not smooth or perfect
- ✓Picture a rough stone that has not been shaped yet, or a drawing with big, quick lines, not detailed
- ✓It's the feeling when someone says something rude or blunt without thinking about politeness
- ✓Sounds like "crew-d" → imagine a group (crew) building something quickly and roughly without care
- ✓Think of crude oil: it's natural and thick before it is cleaned and made into gasoline or other products
- ✓NOT like "polished" (careful and smooth), crude is rough and unrefined
- ✓NOT like "kind" or "polite," crude can mean rude or offensive in speech
- ✓NOT like "finished," crude means basic or early stage, not complete or detailed
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Raw: natural and not processed (Use when talking about natural materials or things not changed)
- •Unrefined: not polished or made smooth (Use when focusing on something unfinished or basic)
- •Rude: impolite or offensive (Use when talking about behavior or language)
- •Basic: simple and not detailed (Use when focusing on simplicity without skill or care)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix; root word "crude")
- •Etymology: From Latin "crudus," meaning raw, unripe, or rough
- •Historical development: Originally meant raw or unripe, later expanded to mean rough or unpolished in English from the 15th century
- •Modern usage: Used to describe things that are natural, unfinished, or rude in speech or behavior
💭 Reflect & Connect
•When can being crude be useful, and when is it a problem?
•How does the meaning of crude change when talking about materials versus people’s behavior?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The crude shelter was made quickly using only ___ and ___.
2.Crude oil must be ___ before it can be used as gasoline.
3.His crude joke made some people laugh, but others felt ___.
4.The artist’s first drawing was crude, missing many ___ and ___ details.
5.Unlike polished speech, crude language often lacks ___ and ___.
6.The factory changes crude materials into ___ products for sale.
7.When someone is described as crude, it often means they do not show ___ or ___ in their behavior.