coarse

[ kawrs, kohrs ]

adjective

, coars·er, coars·est.

1. composed of relatively large parts or particles:

   The beach had rough, coarse sand.

2. lacking in fineness or delicacy of texture, structure, etc.:

   The stiff, coarse fabric irritated her skin.

   Synonyms: rough, rude, crude

3. harsh; grating.
4. lacking delicacy, taste, or refinement; unpolished:

   He had coarse manners but an absolutely first-rate mind.

   Synonyms: crass, gross, vulgar, rough, rude, crude

   Antonyms: sensitive, refined

5. of inferior or faulty quality; common; base.
6. vulgar; obscene; crude:

   His coarse language angered us.

   Synonyms: indelicate

7. (of metals) unrefined.
8. (of a metal file) having the maximum commercial grade of coarseness.

coarse

/ kɔːs /

adjective

1. rough in texture, structure, etc; not fine

   coarse sand

2. lacking refinement or taste; indelicate; vulgar

   coarse jokes

3. of inferior quality; not pure or choice
4. (of a metal) not refined
5. (of a screw) having widely spaced threads

Derived Forms

• ˈcoarseness, noun
• ˈcoarsely, adverb

Other Words From

• coarsely adverb
• coarseness noun
• un·coarse adjective
• un·coarsely adverb
• un·coarseness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of coarse¹

First recorded in 1550–60; earlier cors(e), course, cowarce; of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of coarse¹

C14: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The bottle has an unusual convex base, meaning it cannot stand upright, and it is made of coarse glass, full of tiny air bubbles.

From BBC

I prefer a coarse chop of both artichokes and oysters to a smooth texture.

From Salon

Some, his hardcore base, agree with everything the former president says right down to the coarsest insults.

From Los Angeles Times

The sun's rays also dry out skin, making it coarse and leathery.

From BBC

Then they used a grinder to pulverize the frozen sweets into a coarse powder.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bawdy
• boorish
• crass
• crude
• dirty
• gruff
• nasty
• obscene
• off-color
• raw
• ribald
• rude
• scatological
• vulgar