rough
Not smooth; having a surface with small high parts and low parts.
Having a surface that is not smooth, often with bumps, ridges, or irregularities.
Hard or unpleasant to experience.
Challenging, harsh, or unpleasant to go through, often causing discomfort or hardship.
Close to the correct number, amount, or idea, but not exact.
Not exact or detailed, but close enough for general understanding.
Strong and not gentle; may hurt someone or something.
Using force in a way that may cause harm or discomfort; not gentle.
On a golf course, an area with long grass that is harder to hit the ball from.
An area on a golf course where the grass is longer and more difficult to play from, located outside the fairway.
- Base: rough
- Comparative: rougher
- Superlative: roughest
in the rough
1In an unfinished state
Not finished or prepared; in its natural form.
- The diamond was found in the rough before being cut and polished.
- His talent is still in the rough but shows great promise.
play rough
1Play aggressively in sports/games
To play in a way that is strong and may hurt others, especially in games or sports.
- The kids were playing rough in the backyard.
- Some players like to play rough to intimidate opponents.
rough around the edges
1Good overall but with small faults
Having some small problems or faults but still good in general.
- He’s a bit rough around the edges but has a good heart.
- The house is rough around the edges but very solid.
rough it
1Live without usual comforts for a while
To live without usual things like electricity, comfortable beds, or good food for a short time.
- We had to rough it during our camping trip.
- They roughed it in a small cabin with no running water.
take the rough with the smooth
1Accept good and bad together
Accept both good and bad parts of life or a situation without complaint.
- In this job you have to take the rough with the smooth.
- Marriage means taking the rough with the smooth.