rough-and-ready

American  

[ruhf-uhn-red-ee] / ˈrʌf ənˈrɛd i /

adjective

1. rough, rude, or crude, but good enough for the purpose.

   a rough-and-ready estimate of future expenses.

2. exhibiting or showing rough vigor rather than refinement or delicacy.

   a cowboy—the rough-and-ready type.

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rough-and-ready British  

adjective

1. crude, unpolished, or hastily prepared, but sufficient for the purpose

2. (of a person) without formality or refinement; rudely vigorous

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rough and ready Idioms  

1. Unrefined or makeshift but available for use or action, as in The agenda is somewhat rough and ready, but it covers the main issues. [First half of 1800s]

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Other Word Forms

• rough-and-readiness noun

Etymology

Origin of rough-and-ready

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

To call this the rough-and-ready style of a workshop would not do as an excuse: A workshop requires workmanship.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

The rough-and-ready stemmed projectile points, made from whatever rocks were on hand, differ significantly from so-called Clovis points.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 22, 2022

From the genteel Thomas the Tank Engine to the rough-and-ready racecar Lightning McQueen, children’s entertainment has been filled with talking cartoon vehicles that run on feelings as much as on fuel.

From New York Times • Sep. 20, 2022

According to an annual survey of new vehicle owners from the consumer-research firm Strategic Vision, the vast majority almost never employ their rough-and-ready vehicles for towing or off-roading.

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2022

For news or mail or evidence of what Rachel calls The Pale Which We Are Way Beyond, we wait for the rough-and-ready airplane pilot, Mr. Eeben Axelroot.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver