coarse

[ kawrs, kohrs ]
See synonyms for coarse on Thesaurus.com
adjective,coars·er, coars·est.
  1. composed of relatively large parts or particles: The beach had rough, coarse sand.

  2. lacking in fineness or delicacy of texture, structure, etc.: The stiff, coarse fabric irritated her skin.

  1. harsh; grating.

  2. lacking delicacy, taste, or refinement; unpolished: He had coarse manners but an absolutely first-rate mind.

  3. of inferior or faulty quality; common; base.

  4. vulgar; obscene; crude: His coarse language angered us.

  5. (of metals) unrefined.

  6. (of a metal file) having the maximum commercial grade of coarseness.

Origin of coarse

1
First recorded in 1550–60; earlier cors(e), course, cowarce; of obscure origin

Other words for coarse

Opposites for coarse

Other words from coarse

  • coarsely, adverb
  • coarseness, noun
  • un·coarse, adjective
  • un·coarse·ly, adverb
  • un·coarse·ness, noun

Words that may be confused with coarse

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for coarse

coarse

/ (kɔːs) /


adjective
  1. rough in texture, structure, etc; not fine: coarse sand

  2. lacking refinement or taste; indelicate; vulgar: coarse jokes

  1. of inferior quality; not pure or choice

  2. (of a metal) not refined

  3. (of a screw) having widely spaced threads

Origin of coarse

1
C14: of unknown origin

Derived forms of coarse

  • coarsely, adverb
  • coarseness, noun

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