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unrefined

When describing materials like oil or sugar, 'unrefined' is a neutral technical term meaning the product is in its natural state. When describing people or their behavior, 'unrefined' can be slightly critical or negative. It suggests that someone lacks social grace or formal education.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon, Jessica is staring at a messy spreadsheet Mark sent over.
Jessica

Mark, these notes are way too unrefined for the client. Fix them.

Jessica
Mark
Mark

Chill out, Jess. I'll touch them up later.

💡
Jessica uses 'unrefined' to describe Mark's crude and unpolished work quality. Mark responds with the phrasal verb 'touch up', meaning to make small improvements to something.

Meanings

adjective

Not processed or purified by a refining process to remove impurities.

"The company specializes in the production of unrefined coconut oil."

adjective

Lacking polish, elegance, or cultured manners; crude.

"His unrefined manner of speaking often offended the more aristocratic guests at the party."

Last Updated: May 22, 2026Report an Error