coarse

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/kɔːrs/
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Rough, large-grained, crude, or lacking the fineness expected in texture, speech, quality, or detail.
Practice using this word in conversation

Examples

  • The first map gave only a coarse view of the terrain.
  • The letter sounded angry and coarse.
  • Those age groups are too coarse for a careful study.
  • The carving was powerful but coarse in its finish.
  • His coarse jokes made the guests uncomfortable.

Similar words

rough
harsh
approximate
offensive
grainy
vulgar
rough
granular
inexact
abrasive

Meanings

Rough or large-grained

adjective
physical
neutral
Rough to the touch, harsh in texture, or made up of relatively large pieces.

Usage

Use coarse for textures, materials, hair, sand, salt, crumbs, or grains that are not smooth, soft, or fine.

Examples

  • The path was covered with coarse gravel.
  • Rub the surface first with coarse sandpaper.
  • The bread was topped with coarse sea salt.
  • His coat was made from thick, coarse wool.
  • The dog has a short, coarse coat.
  • The flour was too coarse for a light cake.

Common mistakes

Learners often confuse the spelling with course or use coarse when the intended idea is smooth or fine.
IncorrectCorrect
The recipe calls for course salt. The recipe calls for coarse salt.
The blanket felt coarsely. The blanket felt coarse.
She has a coarse hair. She has coarse hair.
Use coarse sugar for a very smooth glaze. Use fine sugar for a very smooth glaze.

Similar words

rough
grainy
gritty
abrasive
granular
harsh

Rude or vulgar

adjective
communication
neutral
Rude, crude, or offensive, especially in language, jokes, manners, or humor.

Usage

Use coarse when the emphasis is on a lack of refinement or taste, not simply on informal speech.

Examples

  • The film was criticized for its coarse language.
  • His coarse jokes made the guests uncomfortable.
  • She disliked the actor's coarse humor.
  • The letter sounded angry and coarse.
  • They asked him to stop using coarse expressions around children.
  • The character is funny, but his manners are deliberately coarse.

Common mistakes

Do not use coarse as an adverb, and do not apply it to speech that is merely casual but not rude.
IncorrectCorrect
He spoke coarse at dinner. He spoke coarsely at dinner.
The email was friendly and coarse. The email was friendly and informal.
His course joke offended them. His coarse joke offended them.
She made a coarse to the guests. She made a coarse remark to the guests.

Similar words

vulgar
crude
rude
offensive
indecent
uncouth

Rough rather than exact

adjective
general
neutral
Lacking fine detail, precision, careful finish, or subtle distinction.

Usage

Use coarse for an estimate, adjustment, classification, model, or piece of work that is intentionally broad or not finely finished.

Examples

  • The first map gave only a coarse view of the terrain.
  • A coarse estimate is enough for planning the budget.
  • The microscope has separate controls for coarse and fine adjustment.
  • Those age groups are too coarse for a careful study.
  • The early model used a coarse grid to save time.
  • The carving was powerful but coarse in its finish.

Common mistakes

This sense does not mean completely wrong; it usually means broad, approximate, or not finely made.
IncorrectCorrect
The estimate is coarsely. The estimate is coarse.
We need a course outline of the numbers. We need a coarse outline of the numbers.
The categories are too coarse details. The categories are too coarse.
This precise measurement is coarse. This rough measurement is coarse.

Similar words

rough
approximate
broad
crude
inexact
undetailed

Usage

Use coarse for rough textures and large particles, for rude or vulgar speech, and for rough approximations that lack fine detail. Do not confuse it with course, the homophone used for a route, class, meal part, or direction of development.

Common mistakes

The most common error is spelling the adjective as course. Another is using coarse where fine, smooth, polished, or precise is meant.

Etymology

From Middle English cors or course, first used for something ordinary or inferior. Its origin is uncertain, but dictionaries connect it possibly with course and note that the modern spelling separated from course later.

FAQ

What does coarse mean?

It usually means rough, large-grained, crude, vulgar, or lacking fine detail.

What is the difference between coarse and course?

Coarse is an adjective meaning rough or crude. Course is usually a noun for a route, class, or part of a meal, or a verb meaning move in a direction.

Can coarse describe food?

Yes. Coarse salt, coarse crumbs, and coarse meal are made of relatively large pieces.

Can coarse describe speech?

Yes. Coarse language, jokes, or manners are rude, crude, or offensive.

What is the opposite of coarse?

Common opposites include fine, smooth, polished, refined, and precise, depending on the sense.

Is coarse always negative?

No. In phrases like coarse salt or coarse sand, it is a neutral description of size or texture.

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