rugged

UK: /ˈrʌgɪd/ US: /ˈrʌgɪd/ ,(rug′id)

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

rug•ged /ˈrʌgɪd/   adj. 

1. having a roughly broken or jagged surface:
   a rugged mountain.
2. roughly irregular or hard in form, as by having wrinkles:
   a man's rugged features.
3. rough, harsh, or severe:
   a rugged life.
4. capable of lasting through hardship, wear, etc.:
   a rugged, durable car.
5. requiring great strength, ability, patience, etc.:
   a rugged test.

rug•ged•ly, adv.: 

She found the farmer ruggedly handsome.

rug•ged•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

rug•ged  (rug′id), adj. 

1. having a roughly broken, rocky, hilly, or jagged surface:
   rugged ground.
2. (of a face) wrinkled or furrowed, as by experience or the endurance of hardship.
3. roughly irregular, heavy, or hard in outline or form;
   craggy:
   Lincoln's rugged features.
4. rough, harsh, or stern, as persons or nature.
5. full of hardship and trouble;
   severe;
   hard;
   trying:
   a rugged life.
6. tempestuous;
   stormy:
   rugged weather.
7. harsh to the ear:
   rugged sounds.
8. rude, uncultivated, or unrefined.
9. homely or plain:
   rugged fare.
10. capable of enduring hardship, wear, etc.;
    strong and tough:
    rugged floor covering; a rugged lumberjack.

• Scandinavian; compare Swedish rugga to roughen (of cloth); compare rug
• Middle English 1300–50

rug′ged•ly, adv. 
rug′ged•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. uneven, irregular, craggy.
• 4. austere.
• 6. turbulent.
• 7. grating, cacophonous.
• 8. unpolished, crude.

Antonyms

• 1. smooth.
• 4. mild.
• 10. frail.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

rugged / ˈrʌɡɪd/ adjective

1. having an uneven or jagged surface
2. rocky or steep: rugged scenery
3. (of the face) strong-featured or furrowed
4. rough, severe, or stern in character
5. without refinement or culture; rude: rugged manners
6. involving hardship; harsh: he leads a rugged life in the mountains
7. difficult or hard: a rugged test
8. (of equipment, machines, etc) designed to withstand rough treatment or use in rough conditions
9. sturdy or strong; robust

Etymology: 14th Century: from Scandinavian; compare Swedish rugga to make rough

ˈruggedly adverb

ˈruggedness noun