WordGarden.ioroughly
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /rˈʌfli/
US
- /ˈrəfli/
Meanings
Adverb
approximately; not exactly
in a harsh, coarse, or unfinished way
Beyond the definition
"Roughly" is often used when something is close but not exact. You might say you slept "roughly eight hours," meaning not exactly eight, but about that much. It can also describe something done in a simple, basic, or not very careful way. A sculptor may roughly shape the stone before adding fine details, and someone might roughly sketch a plan to show the main idea first. If you say, "Roughly fifty people came to the party," people understand that the number is an estimate, not an exact count.
The word "roughly" has a useful looseness to it. It often signals that we are dealing with approximations, estimates, or general descriptions rather than exact details. Think of a sailor navigating by the stars: not every movement has to be exact, and a roughly correct course may still lead to the right place.
"Roughly" most commonly modifies numbers, amounts, or measurements to show that they are approximate: "The journey took roughly three hours." In this use, it means "about" or "more or less." This is the sense people use when they do not know the exact number or when the exact number is not important.
But "roughly" can also describe the way something is done. If someone roughly sketches a face, they draw the basic shape without many details. If workers roughly cut wood, they do the first simple cut before careful finishing work. In this sense, the word suggests something basic, uneven, or not fully polished yet.
There is also another important use: "roughly" can mean in a harsh, forceful, or not gentle way. If a person is grabbed roughly, they are handled with too much force. This meaning is less about numbers and more about manner or behavior.
So, "roughly" can point to three main ideas: an approximate amount, a simple or unfinished way of doing something, or a harsh way of handling someone or something. It is a flexible word that lets the speaker stay general when exactness, detail, or gentleness is missing.
Examples
- 1
Approximate number
There were roughly fifty people at the meeting.
- 2
Approximate time
The drive from the airport takes roughly an hour.
- 3
Size comparison
The two apartments are roughly the same size.
- 4
General summary
Roughly speaking, the job involves answering emails and talking to customers.
- Phraseroughly speaking
in a general way, without all the details
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Translation
Roughly translated, his reply means "We'll think about it."
- Phraseroughly translated
expressed in another language with the general meaning, not the exact words
- 6
Physical handling
He grabbed my arm roughly and pulled me out of the way.
- 7
Woodworking
The workers had roughly cut the wood to size before smoothing it.
- Phraseroughly cut
cut quickly and not very exactly
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- roughly equal
- roughly the same
- roughly estimated
- roughly speaking
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- roughlyadverb