unrefined

American  

[uhn-ri-fahynd] / ˌʌn rɪˈfaɪnd /

adjective

1. not refined; refined; not purified, as substances.

   unrefined metal.

   Synonyms:

   coarse, crude, unpurified

2. coarse or crude; lacking in refinement of taste, feeling, manners, language, etc.

   Synonyms:

   gross, vulgar, boorish, rude, ill-bred, uncultured, unpolished

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unrefined British  

/ ˌʌnrɪˈfaɪnd /

adjective

1. (of substances such as petroleum, ores, and sugar) not processed into a pure or usable form

2. coarse in manners or language

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Etymology

Origin of unrefined

First recorded in 1585–95; un- ¹ + refined

Example Sentences

His unnamed, unrefined spy who liked to cook was in stark relief to the suave man’s man that was James Bond and an uncomfortable sight for some of the producers of the film adaptation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Previous research found that insects can ingest and absorb pure, unrefined microplastics -- but only under unrealistic, food-scarce situations.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2024

These are typically labeled as extra virgin, virgin, cold pressed or unrefined, depending on exactly how they were pressed.

From Salon • Jul. 29, 2024

First, Mary sends an unrefined George, wearing drab brown, to France in 1612 to learn how to be a gentleman.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2024

Swart was a young man, and I explained to him that brown rice was the unrefined rice kernel, and we used to eat it during the war when white rice was unavailable.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela