What is rough? Pronunciation and usage in English

rough means . Learn how to pronounce and use rough through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of rough

roughadjective

/rʌf/
Definition & pronunciation of rough

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "rough" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's the breakdown:

The standard pronunciation is:

  • /rʌf/

Let's break that down further:

  • "ru": This part is pronounced like the "ru" in "rule" or "rub." It's a quick, slightly throaty "r" sound. Don't overemphasize it – it’s a subtle "r."
  • "ff": This is the tricky part! It's not like the "f" in "fun." Instead, it's a very short, quick, and almost imploded "f" sound. It's similar to the "ff" in "enough" (but shorter and lighter). Think of slightly curling your lips as if you're about to whistle, then quickly releasing them. It's a subtle, almost tucked-in sound.

Here's how it sounds (try saying it along with me):

  1. Start with a quick "ru" sound (like in "rule").
  2. Immediately follow it with a very short, quick, and slightly curled-lip "f" sound.

Tips to help:

  • Listen to native speakers: This is the best way to learn. Search on YouTube for "how to pronounce rough" and listen to various recordings. Here are a few examples:
  • Record yourself: Record yourself saying the word and compare it to a native speaker's pronunciation.
  • Focus on the "ff": Really concentrate on making that short, quick, and slightly curled-lip "f" sound. That’s where most people stumble.

Common Mistakes:

  • Saying it like "roof": This is a very common mistake. “Rough” doesn't have the long “oo” sound like “roof” does.
  • Over-emphasizing the "r": The "r" is subtle.
  • Making the "ff" too long: It's a very brief sound.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you some more examples of words with similar sounds?

Usage and examples with the word rough in English

Let's break down how to use the word "rough" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized by how it's used:

1. Texture & Surface (Most Common)

  • Meaning: Uneven, coarse, and lacking smoothness. Think of something that feels scratchy or bumpy.
  • Examples:
    • "The sandpaper was very rough." (texture)
    • "He ran his hand over the rough bark of the tree." (texture)
    • "The walls of the cave were covered in rough stone." (texture)
    • "The rough canvas felt uncomfortable against my skin." (texture)

2. Appearance (Unrefined or Unkempt)

  • Meaning: Disheveled, unkempt, worn, or in poor condition. Often used to describe someone's appearance or something's appearance.
  • Examples:
    • "She had a rough look about her – tired and stressed." (appearance)
    • "His clothes were rough and torn." (appearance)
    • "He’d had a rough time lately, and it showed in his appearance." (appearance)

3. Difficult or Unpleasant (Experience/Situation)

  • Meaning: Challenging, demanding, difficult, or unpleasant. This is a very common usage.
  • Examples:
    • "It was a rough day at work." (difficult)
    • "The climb was rough and exhausting." (difficult)
    • “We had a rough patch in our relationship.” (unpleasant/challenging)
    • “The negotiations were really rough.” (difficult/tense)

4. (Sports) Physical Contact / Aggressive Play

  • Meaning: Characterized by physical force, tackles, and sometimes unsportsmanlike conduct. Primarily used in sports like football, hockey, or rugby.
  • Examples:
    • "The game became rough in the final minutes." (physical)
    • "The referee warned him for playing rough." (physical)

5. (Music) Raw or Unpolished

  • Meaning: Characterized by a lack of refinement, often referring to a musical recording that hasn't been heavily produced or edited.
  • Examples:
    • "The band's first album had a rough sound." (unpolished)
    • "He prefers rough recordings that capture the true feeling of the music." (unpolished)

Key Considerations & Synonyms:

  • Context is crucial: The meaning of "rough" depends entirely on the context.
  • Synonyms: Depending on the meaning, you could use words like:
    • Texture: coarse, uneven, bumpy, scratchy, abrasive
    • Appearance: worn, shabby, dilapidated, unkempt
    • Difficult: hard, challenging, demanding, tough, arduous
    • Physical Contact (Sports): violent, aggressive, forceful

Resources for More Examples:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use the word "rough"? (e.g., describing a surface, describing someone's experience, etc.)

Synonyms for the word rough

Idioms of the word rough

have a rough/an easy ride | give somebody a rough/an easy ride
(informal)to experience/not experience difficulties when you are doing something; to make things difficult/easy for somebody
  • He will be given a rough ride at the party conference.
  • The new teacher was given a rough ride by the class.
have a rough ride | give somebody a rough ride
(informal)to experience difficulties when you are doing something; to make things difficult for somebody
  • He will be given a rough ride at the party conference.
a rough deal
the fact of being treated unfairly
    (have some) rough edges | be rough around the edges
    (to have some) small parts, for example in a performance or in your character, that are not yet as good as they should be
    • The ballet still had some rough edges.
    • He had a few rough edges knocked off at school.
    • The films are very rough around the edges.
    the rough end of the pineapple
    (Australian English, informal)a situation in which somebody is treated badly or unfairly

      Practice with vocabulary rough

      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

      1. The initial project timeline is just a ________ estimate; we'll refine it later.
      2. After the storm, the ocean waters were quite ________, making sailing challenging for the small vessel.
      3. The company faced a ________ financial period last quarter due to unexpected market volatility.
      4. The old, unpaved road leading to the construction site was very ________, making for a bumpy and slow drive.

      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

      1. Which words describe a texture that is not smooth or finely ground? a) polished b) coarse c) silky d) rough

      2. When you give a preliminary, non-exact figure without all the details, you are providing a/an ________ number. a) precise b) exact c) approximate d) rough

      3. The team is currently going through a ________ period of intense deadlines and limited resources, requiring extra effort from everyone. a) challenging b) effortless c) smooth d) rough

      4. Which word best describes severe and unpleasant environmental conditions, such as extreme cold or strong winds? a) mild b) gentle c) harsh d) calm

      5. Which terms indicate a basic, undeveloped, or preliminary form of something, lacking refinement? a) sophisticated b) rudimentary c) refined d) crude

      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

      1. The initial design concept lacked detail and was merely a basic outline for discussion.

        • Rewrite the sentence using "rough" or a related word form.

      2. During the lengthy negotiation process, the discussions became quite difficult and intense for both parties.

        • Rewrite the sentence using "rough" or a related word form.

      3. The fabric had an abrasive and prickly surface texture, making it uncomfortable against the skin.

        • Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement word instead of "rough".

      Answer:

      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

      1. rough
      2. rough
      3. difficult
      4. uneven

      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

      1. b) coarse, d) rough
      2. c) approximate, d) rough
      3. a) challenging, d) rough
      4. c) harsh
      5. b) rudimentary, d) crude

      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

      1. The initial design concept was just a rough outline for discussion.
      2. During the lengthy negotiation process, the discussions became quite rough. (or: The lengthy negotiation process went through a rough patch.)
      3. The fabric had a coarse and prickly surface texture, making it uncomfortable against the skin.

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