coarse
AdjectiveOpen English WordNet
Adjective (3)coarser, coarsest
- of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles“coarse meal”“coarse sand”“a coarse weave”Synonyms: harshOpposite fineSimilar farinaceous, loose, granulated, coarse-grained, plushyRelates to textureSee also rough, unsmooth
- lacking refinement or cultivation or taste“he had coarse manners but a first-rate mind”“behavior that branded him as common”“an untutored and uncouth human being”“an uncouth soldier — a real tough guy”“appealing to the vulgar taste for violence”“the vulgar display of the newly rich”Synonyms: commonrough-cutuncouthvulgarOpposite refinedSimilar unrefined
- of low or inferior quality or value“of what coarse metal ye are molded — Shakespeare”“produced … the common cloths used by the poorer population”Synonyms: commonOpposite superiorSimilar inferior
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: As this word was anciently written course, or cours, it may be an abbreviation of of course, in the common manner of proceeding, common, and hence, homely, made for common domestic use, plain, rude, rough, gross, e. g., “Though the threads be course.” George Gascoigne See Course.
1. Large in bulk, or composed of large parts or particles; of inferior quality or appearance; not fine in material or close in texture; gross; thick; rough; — opposed to fine; as, coarse sand; coarse thread; coarse cloth; coarse bread.
2. Not refined; rough; rude; unpolished; gross; indelicate; as, coarse manners; coarse language.
I feel Of what coarse metal ye are molded.— William Shakespeare
To copy, in my coarse English, his beautiful expressions.— John Dryden
Synonyms: Large; thick; rough; gross; blunt; uncouth; unpolished; inelegant; indelicate; vulgar.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54