coarse

[kawrs, kohrs] /kɔrs, koʊrs/
adjective, coarser, coarsest.
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.
(of metals) unrefined.
8.
(of a metal file) having the maximum commercial grade of coarseness.
Origin
1550-60; earlier cors(e), course, cowarce; of obscure origin
Related forms
coarsely, adverb
coarseness, noun
uncoarse, adjective
uncoarsely, adverb
uncoarseness, noun
Can be confused
coarse, course, curse, cuss.
Synonyms
2, 4. crude, rude, rough. 4. vulgar, gross, crass. 6. indelicate.
Antonyms
4. refined, sensitive.
Examples from the web for coarse
  • coarse and fine image adjustments in both vertical and horizontal directions.
  • It's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere.
  • Add it before beating the whites into a coarse foam.
  • People dip their potatoes in coarse salt and edible clay.
  • But it was impressive nonetheless, especially for the detail it gathered from measurements that are still extremely coarse.
  • Of coarse this is mostly theory right now but it is a question of time and development.
  • Allow to rest for ten minutes then cut the meat off the bone into large chunks, season with coarse sea salt, and serve.
  • The nets stand perpendicular to the prevailing wind, which blows fog into the coarse, woven plastic mesh.
  • Both minerals can be found throughout the world and form coarse-sized crystals.
  • It wasn't the kind you use on bulletin boards but something coarse and dark, the color of damp pine mulch.
British Dictionary definitions for coarse

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
Derived Forms
coarsely, adverb
coarseness, noun
Word Origin
C14: of unknown origin
Word Origin and History for coarse
adj.

early 15c., cors "ordinary" (modern spelling is from late 16c.), probably adjectival use of noun cours (see course (n.)), originally referring to rough cloth for ordinary wear. Developed a sense of "rude" c.1500 and "obscene" by 1711. Perhaps related, via metathesis, to French gros, which had a similar sense development. Related: Coarsely; coarseness.