Rough Meaning
Rough Definition & Usage
Having an uneven, irregular, or jagged surface or texture.
Examples
- "The rough stones made the hike difficult and slow."
- "She ran her hand over the rough fabric of the old jacket."
- "The cliff face was rough, making climbing dangerous."
- "The road was rough, with many potholes and bumps."
- "He used a rough file to smooth down the wood."
Characterized by difficulty, hardship, or harshness.
Examples
- "She had a rough childhood, full of challenges and adversity."
- "The team went through a rough season with many injuries."
- "It’s been a rough week at work; I haven’t had a moment to relax."
- "The weather turned rough, with strong winds and rain."
- "After a rough day, he just wanted to go home and sleep."
Not fully developed or completed, often lacking refinement or detail.
Examples
- "His rough draft was full of errors but had good ideas."
- "The design was still rough, but the concept was clear."
- "The company presented a rough outline of their plans for the new project."
- "She gave a rough estimate of the cost, but it wasn’t final."
- "The proposal was rough around the edges, but it had potential."
A difficult or turbulent situation or experience.
Examples
- "After the rough patch in their relationship, things started to improve."
- "He’s had a rough go of it lately, but he’s staying strong."
- "The car ride was a rough one, with constant bumps and jolts."
- "I had a rough time trying to get through the traffic."
- "The rough of it is that we have no choice but to keep pushing forward."
Cultural Context
The word 'rough' has been used in various contexts for centuries, stemming from Old French and Latin roots. In modern English, it applies to both literal and metaphorical situations. The word is frequently used in casual conversations to describe both physical objects and experiences that are challenging, uncomfortable, or difficult to handle. It has also been widely used in expressions like 'rough around the edges' or 'rough around the edges,' which imply incompleteness or lack of polish.
The Rough Road Ahead
Story
The Rough Road Ahead
Tom had always been a city boy, used to the smooth, well-paved streets and the convenience of modern life. But when he decided to take on the challenge of hiking through the mountains, he quickly learned that life in the wild wasn’t as easy as he’d imagined. The path was rough, full of jagged rocks and thick underbrush, and his boots seemed to slip at every turn. As the hours wore on, Tom's frustration grew. His legs were sore, and the weather was turning rough as well, with dark clouds threatening rain. He paused to catch his breath, trying to ignore the sting of the wind cutting through his jacket. 'This is a rough way to spend a weekend,' he muttered to himself. Just then, he heard a voice behind him. It was Sarah, a fellow hiker he'd met at the starting point. 'Hey, how’s it going?' she asked, her voice full of energy. Tom grimaced. 'It’s rough,' he admitted, 'I didn’t expect it to be so challenging.' Sarah smiled, her face tanned from many outdoor adventures. 'It gets easier once you get used to the rough terrain. But, yeah, it’s not a walk in the park. How’s your pack? You want me to take some of the weight?' She was always the optimist, always looking for ways to make the situation better. The next few hours were filled with more challenges: a steep incline, more rough weather, and even a few falls. But Tom noticed that with Sarah’s help, the rough path became more manageable. By the time they reached the summit, he was exhausted but exhilarated. The journey had been tough, but the views were worth it. As they sat down to rest, Sarah looked over at Tom. 'So, what did you think? Rough road, but a good one, right?' she asked. Tom grinned, his earlier frustrations forgotten. 'Yeah, it was rough, but I made it through.' The experience had taught him a valuable lesson about persistence. Not all roads are smooth, but with the right attitude, you can make it through even the roughest ones.
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