roughen

[ ruhf-uhn ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become rough or rougher. rougher.

roughen

/ ˈrʌfən /

verb

1. to make or become rough

Other Words From

• roughen·er noun
• un·roughened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of roughen¹

First recorded in 1580–90; rough + -en ¹

Example Sentences

The rubber used should not be of a harsh grade, since that will roughen the face of the paper and probably cause the ink to run.

From Project Gutenberg

Take a piece of sand-paper and roughen the edges of the break as far around as the size of the patch.

From Project Gutenberg

The path, to be sure, does not roughen until one has gone along it for twenty-eight hundred miles.

From Project Gutenberg

Heading weatherward, he gave more heed to the wheel, for there were signs that the water was going to roughen somewhat.

From Project Gutenberg

No amount of the hardest known abrasive will even roughen its surface.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• beat up
• maltreat
• manhandle
• mistreat