Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a rough, harsh, or violent manner: Describes an action done without care, gentleness, or smoothness.
   • Approximately; not exactly but close in number, amount, or time: Used to give an imprecise estimate or figure.

Usage and Examples

• In a rough manner:

  • The guard pushed him roughly out of the way.
  • She spoke roughly to the customer, which was unprofessional.

• Approximately; about:

  • The project will take roughly three months to complete.
  • The distance is roughly 20 kilometers.
  • Roughly speaking, we have about 50 members in the club.

Advanced Usage

• "roughly speaking": Used to introduce a general statement or estimate that is not precise.
  • Roughly speaking, the company's profits have doubled in the last year.
• "roughly equivalent to": Used to indicate that two things are approximately equal in value, size, or meaning.
  • One euro is roughly equivalent to 1.10 US dollars.

Variants and Related Words

• Rough (adjective): Having an uneven or irregular surface; not gentle or careful.
  • The rough road made the ride uncomfortable.
• Rough (adverb, informal): An informal variant for "roughly" when describing treatment.
  • They played rough during the game.
• Roughness (noun): The quality or state of being rough.
  • The roughness of his hands showed years of hard work.

Synonyms

• Approximately: Close to the actual, but not completely accurate or exact.
• About: Used to indicate an approximate amount, number, or time.
• Around: Approximately; in the region of.
• More or less: To a certain extent; approximately.
• Harshly: In a severe, cruel, or unkind manner.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Cut up rough (idiom, informal): To become angry or behave in a violent, aggressive way.
  • He really cut up rough when he heard the news.
• Rough and ready: Simple and prepared quickly but effective enough for the situation.
  • It's a rough and ready solution, but it should work for now.
• Sleep rough: To sleep outdoors, usually because one has no home.
  • After losing his job, he was forced to sleep rough for a few weeks.

Adverb

1. with rough motion as over a rough surface
   • ride rough
2. with roughness or violence (`rough' is an informal variant for `roughly')
   • he was pushed roughly aside
   • they treated him rough
3. (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
   • lasted approximately an hour
   • in just about a minute
   • he's about 30 years old
   • I've had about all I can stand
   • we meet about once a month
   • some forty people came
   • weighs around a hundred pounds
   • roughly $3,000
   • holds 3 gallons, more or less
   • 20 or so people were at the party