# rough

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ɹʌf/ · frequency rank #3,083

## Definitions
1. Not smooth; uneven.
2. Approximate; hasty or careless; not finished.
3. Turbulent.
4. Difficult; trying.
5. Crude; unrefined.
6. Worn; shabby; weather-beaten.
7. Having socio-economic problems, hence possibly dangerous.
8. Violent; not careful or subtle.
9. Loud and hoarse; offensive to the ear; harsh; grating.
10. Not polished; uncut.
11. Harsh-tasting.
12. Somewhat ill; sick; in poor condition.
13. Unwell due to alcohol; hungover.
14. Of or relating to the rough breathing in the Greek language.

## Etymology
From Middle English rough, roughe, roȝe, row, rou, ru, ruȝ, ruh, from Old English rūg, rūh, from Proto-Germanic *rūhaz.
Cognate with Scots ruch, rouch (“rough”), Saterland Frisian ruuch, rouch (“rough”), West Frisian rûch (“rough”), Low German ruuch (“rough”), Dutch ruig (“rough”), German rau(h) (“rough”), Danish ru (“uneven on the surface, "rough", "rugged"”).

## Easily confused with
- **rug** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rough-vs-rug)
- **rush** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rough-vs-rush)
- **ruth** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rough-vs-ruth)
- **rout** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rough-vs-rout)
- **roux** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rough-vs-roux)
- **round** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rough-vs-round)
- **route** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rough-vs-route)
- **rouse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rough-vs-rouse)
- **roughly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rough-vs-roughly)
- **ruff** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rough-vs-ruff)
- **Roh** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/roh-vs-rough)
- **Rog** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rog-vs-rough)
- **Roth** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/roth-vs-rough)
- **Rong** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rong-vs-rough)
- **rouge** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rouge-vs-rough)
- **roach** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/roach-vs-rough)
- **Rouen** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rouen-vs-rough)

## Common misspellings (7)
`orugh`, `roguh`, `rouggh`, `roughh`, `rouhg`, `rrough`, `ruogh`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/rough