Rough
/rʌf/
adjectivenounverbA2
Definition
Rough describes a surface or texture that is not smooth, like something with bumps or sharp edges. It can also describe situations or experiences that are difficult, hard, or not easy. As a verb, it means to treat someone or something in a way that is not gentle, sometimes with force or carelessness.
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⚡ See It in Action
Having an uneven, bumpy, or not smooth surface
- •The rough road made the car shake.
- •His hands were rough from working outside.
- •The fabric feels rough against my skin.
Difficult or hard to deal with
- •She had a rough time at school last year.
- •The weather was rough during our trip.
- •Life can be rough sometimes.
To treat someone or something in a forceful or careless way (verb)
- •The players roughed each other during the game.
- •He was roughed up by the crowd after the match.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "rough" like "hard," but more about feeling or touch—not just tough but uneven or bumpy
- ✓Picture a stone with many small bumps and sharp edges you can feel with your hand
- ✓It’s the feeling when you touch sandpaper or a tree bark that isn’t smooth
- ✓Sounds like "ruff" → imagine a dog’s rough tongue when it licks your hand, not soft but scratchy
- ✓Think of a rough day as one full of problems and stress, not calm or easy
- ✓NOT like "smooth" (soft, even surface), rough is the opposite—uneven and sometimes uncomfortable
- ✓NOT like "easy" (no problems), rough means difficult or challenging
- ✓As a verb, NOT like "care" or "protect," rough means to handle in a strong or careless way
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Uneven: not level or smooth (Use when talking only about surfaces or ground)
- •Harsh: unpleasantly rough or severe (Use when describing difficult conditions or treatment)
- •Difficult: not easy to do or deal with (Use when focusing on challenges or problems)
- •Coarse: rough in texture, often describing materials (Use when talking about fabrics or natural surfaces)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: No prefix or suffix; simple root word "rough"
- •Etymology: From Old English "ruh," meaning hairy, shaggy, or coarse
- •Historical development: Originally meant hairy or shaggy, then extended to mean uneven or not smooth, and later to describe difficult situations or treatment
- •Modern usage: Used to describe textures, difficult situations, or rough treatment of people or things; common in everyday English
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does the word "rough" change meaning when describing a surface versus a situation?
•Can something be rough but still good or useful? When might that happen?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The rough surface of the rock made it ___ to walk on without shoes.
2.After working outside all day, his hands felt ___ and dry.
3.She had a rough day because many things went ___.
4.The players roughed each other during the game, showing ___ behavior.
5.The weather was rough, so we decided to ___ our trip.
6.The fabric is rough ___ touch, so it is not comfortable for clothes.
7.Unlike smooth roads, rough roads often cause cars to ___ more.