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• rough cut
  rough cut

  noun

  the first assembly of a film following preliminary cutting and editing.
• rough-cut
  rough-cut

  adjective

  cut into small, irregular pieces (contrasted with fine-cut).

rough cut

¹ American  

noun

Movies.

1. the first assembly of a film following preliminary cutting and editing.

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rough-cut ² American  

[ruhf-kuht] / ˈrʌfˈkʌt /

adjective

1. cut into small, irregular pieces (contrasted with fine-cut).

   rough-cut tobacco.

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rough-cut British  

noun

1. a first edited version of a film with the scenes in sequence and the soundtrack synchronized

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Etymology

Origin of rough cut¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Origin of rough-cut²

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Davis further objected to music producer David Foster’s insistence on an elaborate backing remix for the song, having fallen in love with the first rough cut, which had been recorded live on set.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026

But I’ve seen the episodes of the season in rough cut and while they differ from the novels, they’re really great fun to watch and I enjoyed them thoroughly.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 29, 2025

Then they let me see a rough cut at the end of the day of my voice with her face and actions, and it was like a third person.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 2024

Keen fans of the musical Wicked will be wishing they were at the convention, as cinema owners were treated to a rough cut of a brief section of the new film.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2023

“Which I doubt;” His voice was oddly and beautifully rough cut, as some small boys’ voices are.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger