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rough-spoken

American  
[ruhf-spoh-kuhn] / ˈrʌfˈspoʊ kən /

adjective

  1. coarse or vulgar in speech.


rough-spoken British  

adjective

  1. rude or uncouth in speech; blunt

"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

Etymology

Origin of rough-spoken

First recorded in 1625–35

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Mr Biffen, half-joking, dug himself an even deeper hole by referring to Sir Bernard as Downing Street's "rough-spoken Yorkshire Rasputin".

From BBC Feb. 24, 2023

In sharing his nostalgia, Kelly did not sound like the more rough-spoken Trump.

From Los Angeles Times Oct. 20, 2017

He brings to mind one of those rough-spoken tycoon hosts trying to come across as gentlemanlike on “Dragons’ Den.”

From New York Times Aug. 16, 2016

So rough-spoken has he been at times that the city administration has asked New Detroit to curb him.

From Time Magazine Archive

Sansa knew all about the sorts of people Arya liked to talk to: squires and grooms and serving girls, old men and naked children, rough-spoken freeriders of uncertain birth.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

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