adj
coarse
kaws
adj
1
Rough in texture rather than smooth.
"The coarse fabric scratched against her skin."
2
Lacking refinement or good manners; crude.
"He made a coarse joke that embarrassed the whole table."
How to Use Coarse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRough to the touch, or crude and lacking in refinement.
Common mistake
Easily confused with "course" (a direction, path, or school subject) — they sound identical but mean completely different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
coarse sand
coarse language
coarse fabric
Word Forms
coarser comparative, coarsest superlative
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The _____ fabric scratched against her skin.
Etymology
Originally the same word as "course", it split off in spelling during the 1700s after developing the meaning "ordinary" and then "rough" or "unrefined".