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Synonyms

roughen

American  
[ruhf-uhn] / ˈrʌf ən /

verb (used with or without object)

  1. to make or become rough or rougher.

roughen British  
/ ˈrʌfən /

verb

  1. to make or become rough

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of roughen

First recorded in 1580–90; rough + -en 1

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.

Roughen each opposing edge and moisten with slip, that is, clay mixed with water to the consistency of thick cream.

From Pottery, for Artists Craftsmen & Teachers by Cox, George J.

Roughen one surface, spread these two rough surfaces with a good liquid glue and place them together.

From Hunting with the Bow and Arrow by Pope, Saxton

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.