coarse
/kɔːs/
At its core, "coarse" describes a lack of refinement, whether physical or behavioral. The fundamental image is one of roughness—think of sandpaper or raw, unspun wool. It suggests an absence of smoothness or delicacy. Physically, it refers to textures that are grainy, thick, or rugged. Unlike "rough," which can imply unevenness (like a bumpy road), "coarse" specifically implies the composition of the material itself consists of large particles or fibers. Socially and behaviorally, it carries a strong negative connotation. It describes language or manners that are crude, vulgar, or lacking in sophistication. In this context, it is more about a lack of social polish than active aggression; it's the difference between being "rude" (intentional) and "coarse" (unrefined). It is generally used in descriptive, objective contexts for materials, but becomes judgmental when applied to people or their speech.
💬Casual Conversation
Ugh, this new sheet set is so coarse. My skin is screaming.
Did you even check the material? Budget buys will do that.
Meanings
Lacking refinement, sophistication, or tact.
"He made a coarse joke that offended several guests."
Consisting of large particles.
"The chef used coarse salt for the crust of the bread."
Collocations & Compounds
coarse salt
Salt crystals that are large and coarse.
Use coarse salt to season the steak before grilling.
coarse sand
Sand with large, visible grains.
The beach was covered in coarse sand.
coarse fabric
A rough-textured material.
The artist used coarse fabric as a canvas.
coarse features
Facial characteristics that are large, rough, or not finely shaped.
He had coarse features that gave him a rugged appearance.
coarse language
Vulgar, rude, or offensive speech.
The teacher reprimanded the student for using coarse language.
Etymology
The word 'coarse' comes from the Middle English 'cors', meaning 'rough, harsh, unrefined'. This itself derives from the Old French 'cois', likely related to Latin 'crassus' (thick, dense, fat) or 'corpus' (body), suggesting a sense of bulkiness or lack of refinement. It entered English around the 14th century, initially describing physical textures and later expanding to abstract qualities like behavior and language.