coarse
Americanadjective
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composed of relatively large parts or particles.
The beach had rough, coarse sand.
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lacking in fineness or delicacy of texture, structure, etc..
The stiff, coarse fabric irritated her skin.
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harsh; grating.
-
lacking delicacy, taste, or refinement; unpolished.
He had coarse manners but an absolutely first-rate mind.
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of inferior or faulty quality; common; base.
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vulgar; obscene; crude.
His coarse language angered us.
- Synonyms:
- indelicate
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(of metals) unrefined.
-
(of a metal file) having the maximum commercial grade of coarseness.
adjective
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rough in texture, structure, etc; not fine
coarse sand
-
lacking refinement or taste; indelicate; vulgar
coarse jokes
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of inferior quality; not pure or choice
-
(of a metal) not refined
-
(of a screw) having widely spaced threads
Other Word Forms
- coarsely adverb
- coarseness noun
- uncoarse adjective
- uncoarsely adverb
- uncoarseness noun
Etymology
Origin of coarse
First recorded in 1550–60; earlier cors(e), course, cowarce; of obscure origin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
WSJ | Buy Side: We tested some of the most popular hair dryers on coarse curls and fine straight hair.
Elisha began interrupting Maggie while in session, sending in notes, “Come out for a moment from those coarse people … Surely you can rest a minute! Come dearest fluttering bird! Come!”
From Literature
In coarse, colloquial prose, translated by Kate Webster, these loosely united vignettes glance upon the lives of villagers who seem cursed by the land.
He was tall and thin, this man, with a dollop of coarse white hair atop his head.
From Literature
WSJ | Buy Side: We tested some of the most popular hair dryers on coarse curls and fine straight hair—these are the best hair dryers we found.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
