Weather / A2

RUF/rʌf/

Rough means not smooth, not gentle, or not exact: a rough path, rough sea, a rough idea. Smooth is the opposite for surfaces. Gentle is the opposite for behaviour. Approximate is a cousin for “not exact”. Do not write ruff (an old collar) or tough (strong, difficult) unless you mean those.

Meaning

Not smooth; also not gentle, or not exact.

Examples

• “The path was rough after the heavy rain.”
• “The sea was too rough for a small boat.”
• “I only have a rough idea of the cost.”

Good to know

a rough path / sea / idea. Opposites: smooth, gentle. Cousin for numbers: approximate.

Topics

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