coarse

UK: /ˈkɔː^rs/ US: /kɔrs/ ,(kôrs, kōrs)

Inflections of 'coarse' (adj):

coarser

adj comparative

coarsest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

coarse /kɔrs/   adj., coars•er, coars•est. 

1. made up of relatively large parts or particles:
   coarse sand.
2. lacking in delicacy of texture, etc.:
   coarse fabric; coarse skin.
3. lacking refinement;
   unpolished:
   coarse manners.
4. vulgar;
   obscene:
   coarse language.

coarse•ly, adv. 
coarse•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

coarse  (kôrs, kōrs), adj., coars•er, coars•est. 

1. composed of relatively large parts or particles:
   The beach had rough, coarse sand.
2. lacking in fineness or delicacy of texture, structure, etc.:
   The stiff, coarse fabric irritated her skin.
3. harsh;
   grating.
4. lacking delicacy, taste, or refinement;
   unpolished:
   He had coarse manners but an absolutely first-rate mind.
5. of inferior or faulty quality;
   common;
   base.
6. vulgar;
   obscene;
   crude:
   His coarse language angered us.
7. Metallurgy (of metals) unrefined.
8. Metallurgy (of a metal file) having the maximum commercial grade of coarseness.

• 1550–60; earlier cors(e), course, cowarce; of obscure origin, originally

coarse′ly, adv. 
coarse′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2, 4. crude, rude, rough.
• 4. vulgar, gross, crass.
• 6. indelicate.

Antonyms

• 4. refined, sensitive.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

coarse / kɔːs/ adjective

1. rough in texture, structure, etc; not fine: coarse sand
2. lacking refinement or taste; indelicate; vulgar: coarse jokes
3. of inferior quality; not pure or choice
4. (of a metal) not refined
5. (of a screw) having widely spaced threads

Etymology: 14th Century: of unknown origin

ˈcoarsely adverb

ˈcoarseness noun