adjective
rugged
Rough and uneven in surface or terrain.
The narrow trail winds through rugged hills above the valley.
Etymology
Rugged has older senses of roughness or unevenness. The modern terrain sense preserves that irregular surface rather than describing a smooth or level one.
More examples
- We wear hiking boots to cross the rugged terrain.
- Waves crash against the rugged coastline.
- The rock's rugged surface scrapes my palm.
Forms
rugged · more rugged · most rugged
ruggedness noun — The roughness and unevenness of a surface.