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Webster 1913 Edition

Coarse

Coarse

(kōrs)
,
Adj.
[
Com
par.
Coarser
(kōrs′ẽr)
;
sup
erl.
Coarsest
.]
[As this word was anciently written
course
, or
cours
, it may be an abbreviation of
of course
, in the common manner of proceeding, common, and hence, homely, made for common domestic use, plain, rude, rough, gross, e. g., “Though the threads be
course
.”
Gascoigne.
See
Course
.]
1.
Large in bulk, or composed of large parts or particles; of inferior quality or appearance; not fine in material or close in texture; gross; thick; rough; – opposed to
fine
;
as,
coarse
sand;
coarse
thread;
coarse
cloth;
coarse
bread
.
2.
Not refined; rough; rude; unpolished; gross; indelicate;
as,
coarse
manners;
coarse
language
.
I feel
Of what
coarse
metal ye are molded.
Shakespeare
Syn. – Large; thick; rough; gross; blunt; uncouth; unpolished; inelegant; indelicate; vulgar.

Webster 1828 Edition

Coarse

COARSE

, a.
1.
Thick; large or gross in bulk; comparatively of large diameter; as coarse thread or yarn; coarse hair; coarse sand. This seems to be the primary sense of the word; opposed to fine or slender. Hence,
2.
Thick; rough; or made of coarse thread or yarn; as coarse cloth.
3.
Not refined; not separated from grosser particles, or impurities; as coarse metal; coarse glass.
4.
Rude; rough; unrefined; uncivil; as coarse manners.
5.
Gross; not delicate.
The coarser tie of human law.
6.
Rude; rough; unpolished; inelegant; applied to language.
7.
Not nicely expert; not accomplished by art or education; as a coarse practitioner.
8.
Mean; not nice; not refined or elegant; as a coarse perfume; a coarse diet.

Definition 2025

coarse

coarse

English

Adjective

coarse ‎(comparative coarser, superlative coarsest)

  1. Composed of large parts or particles; of inferior quality or appearance; not fine in material or close in texture.
  2. Lacking refinement, taste or delicacy;
    coarse manners
    coarse language

Usage notes

  • Nouns to which "coarse" is often applied: language, particle, grain, graining, sand, powder, gravel, grit, salt, gold, thread, hair, cloth, grid, aggregate, texture, grass, fish, angling, fishing.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • (of inferior quality): fine

Derived terms

Translations

Anagrams

Etymology

Adjectival use of course, diverging therefrom in spelling in the 18th century. The sense developed from '(following) the usual course' (cf. of course) to 'ordinary, common' to 'lacking refinement', with 'not fine, granular' arising from its application to cloth. Compare the development of mean.

Pronunciation

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