adverb
roughly
Approximately or in a harsh, uneven way.
The drive to the airport takes roughly forty minutes.
Etymology
Rough means uneven or lacking fine finish. The adverb describes either harsh treatment or an estimate made without fine precision.
More examples
- Please don't handle the kitten so roughly.
- The boards are roughly cut, with splinters along the edges.
- Roughly half the class walks to school.
Forms
roughly
rough adjective — Having an uneven surface or harsh manner.
roughness noun — The quality of being uneven or harsh.
Similar words
- approximately
- Expresses an estimate, not a harsh or uneven manner.
- harshly
- Emphasizes severe or unkind treatment rather than physical unevenness.
- coarsely
- Describes a rough texture or finish, not an estimate.