Dictionary.com
definitions

coarser

[ kawr-ser, kohr- ]
/ ˈkɔr sər, ˈkoʊr- /
|

adjective Mathematics.

of or relating to a topology on a topological space whose open sets are included among the open sets of a second specified topology on the space.

RELATED CONTENT

Cough, Cough: Here Are 10 Different Ways To Say “ough”Oh, English. Just when we're starting to feel good about you, pronunciation strikes again.
READ MORE
Word Lookups From Obama’s Farewell SpeechPresident Barack Obama’s second and final term is at an end. He gave his farewell speech Tuesday January 10 in Chicago, the city that launched his rise to national prominence. Word choices and speech patterns of our world leaders are a constant source of discussion (and comedy skits), as every administration has a style and at least one tic. Long known as an effective public …
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

boorish, rude, gruff, ribald, vulgar, off-color, obscene, raw, dirty, crude, scatological, nasty, bawdy, crass, grainy, harsh, base, blue, cheap, common

Nearby words

  1. coarctation,
  2. coarse,
  3. coarse fish,
  4. coarse-grained,
  5. coarsen,
  6. coarticulation,
  7. coast,
  8. coast artillery,
  9. coast guard,
  10. coast is clear, the
Compare finer.

Origin of coarser

coarse + -er4

Definition for coarser (2 of 2)

coarse

[ kawrs, kohrs ]
/ kɔrs, koʊrs /

adjective, coars·er, coars·est.

Origin of coarse

First recorded in 1550–60; earlier cors(e), course, cowarce; of obscure origin
SYNONYMS FOR coarse
2, 4 crude, rude, rough.
4 vulgar, gross, crass.
6 indelicate.
ANTONYMS FOR coarse
4 refined, sensitive.
Related forms
Can be confusedcoarse course curse
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for coarser

coarse

/ (kɔːs) /

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 coarser

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper