coarse

[kawrs, kohrs]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR coarse ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, coars·er, coars·est.

composed of relatively large parts or particles: The beach had rough, coarse sand.

lacking in fineness or delicacy of texture, structure, etc.: The stiff, coarse fabric irritated her skin.

harsh; grating.

lacking delicacy, taste, or refinement; unpolished: He had coarse manners but an absolutely first-rate mind.

of inferior or faulty quality; common; base.

vulgar; obscene; crude: His coarse language angered us.

(of metals) unrefined.

(of a metal file) having the maximum commercial grade of coarseness.

Origin of coarse

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

Related formscoarse·ly, adverbcoarse·ness, nounun·coarse, adjectiveun·coarse·ly, adverbun·coarse·ness, noun

Can be confusedcoarse course curse

Synonyms for coarse

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR coarse ON THESAURUS.COM

2, 4. crude, rude, rough. 4. vulgar, gross, crass. 6. indelicate.

Antonyms for coarse

4. refined, sensitive.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for coarsely

rudely, harshly, crudely, bluntly, roughly, loudly, sharply, barbarously, brazenly, contemptuously, crassly, curtly, disrespectfully, indecently, indecorously, insolently, sassily, snootily, tactlessly, unabashedly

British Dictionary definitions for coarsely

coarse

adjective

rough in texture, structure, etc; not finecoarse sand

lacking refinement or taste; indelicate; vulgarcoarse jokes

of inferior quality; not pure or choice

(of a metal) not refined

(of a screw) having widely spaced threads

Derived Formscoarsely, adverbcoarseness, noun

Word Origin for coarse

C14: of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for coarsely

coarse

adj.

early 15c., cors "ordinary" (modern spelling is from late 16c.), probably adjectival use of noun cours (see course (n.)), originally referring to rough cloth for ordinary wear. Developed a sense of "rude" c.1500 and "obscene" by 1711. Perhaps related, via metathesis, to French gros, which had a similar sense development. Related: Coarsely; coarseness.