rugged

[ ruhg-id ]

adjective

1. having a roughly broken, rocky, hilly, or jagged surface:

   rugged ground.

   Synonyms: craggy, irregular, uneven

   Antonyms: smooth

2. (of a face) wrinkled or furrowed, as by experience or the endurance of hardship.
3. roughly irregular, heavy, or hard in outline or form; craggy:

   Lincoln's rugged features.

4. rough, harsh, or stern, as persons or nature.

   Synonyms: austere

   Antonyms: mild

5. full of hardship and trouble; severe; hard; trying:

   a rugged life.

6. tempestuous; stormy:

   rugged weather.

   Synonyms: turbulent

7. harsh to the ear:

   rugged sounds.

   Synonyms: cacophonous, grating

8. rude, uncultivated, or unrefined.

   Synonyms: unpolished, crude

9. homely or plain:

   rugged fare.

10. capable of enduring hardship, wear, etc.; strong and tough:

    rugged floor covering; a rugged lumberjack.

    Antonyms: frail

rugged

/ ˈrʌɡɪd /

adjective

1. having an uneven or jagged surface
2. rocky or steep

   rugged scenery

3. (of the face) strong-featured or furrowed
4. rough, severe, or stern in character
5. without refinement or culture; rude

   rugged manners

6. involving hardship; harsh

   he leads a rugged life in the mountains

7. difficult or hard

   a rugged test

8. (of equipment, machines, etc) designed to withstand rough treatment or use in rough conditions

   a handheld rugged computer which can survive being submerged in water

9. sturdy or strong; robust

Derived Forms

• ˈruggedly, adverb
• ˈruggedness, noun

Other Words From

• rugged·ly adverb
• rugged·ness noun
• un·rugged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rugged¹

1300–50; Middle English < Scandinavian; compare Swedish rugga to roughen (of cloth); rug

Word History and Origins

Origin of rugged¹

C14: from Scandinavian; compare Swedish rugga to make rough

Related Words

• craggy
• hilly
• jagged
• mountainous
• rocky
• rough