Words / B2

KROOD/kruːd/

Crude means in a raw unfinished state (crude oil), or rough, simple, or vulgar: crude oil; a crude sketch; crude humour. Raw is a close twin; rude is only the manners sense. Quote crude-oil output in barrels. Mix-up: rude / cruel (already in the dictionary). Do not write crude for a precise calibrated instrument.

Meaning

In a raw, unfinished state (crude oil); also rough, simple, or vulgar.

Examples

• “Quote crude-oil output in barrels, not a playground insult.”
• “A crude prototype still needs the tolerance, which is the unfinished sense.”

Good to know

crude oil; a crude + noun; crudely. Close: raw. Trap: rude / cruel. Geography, design, and literature. Raw, rough, or vulgar — specify which.

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