What does coarse mean?
"Coarse" is an adjective with two closely linked meanings: it describes physical roughness — a texture that is uneven, gritty, or composed of large particles — and, by extension, behavior or language that is crude, vulgar, or lacking in refinement. A coarse fabric such as burlap feels scratchy against the skin; coarse salt has large, irregular crystals; and a coarse joke is one told without tact or delicacy. The physical sense is neutral and purely descriptive, common in cooking, textiles, and geology, while the figurative sense is distinctly negative, implying a failure of manners or taste rather than simple casualness. The word derives from French "cours," ultimately from Latin "cursus" (a running or course), having originally meant ordinary or common quality. It is frequently confused in spelling with its homophone "course." Knowing "coarse" allows precise description of everything from sandpaper grit to social gracelessness, making it a genuinely versatile vocabulary item.
Rough or loose in texture, grain, or composition; consisting of relatively large particles.
"The mason used coarse gravel for the foundation layer."
Neutral and descriptive when applied to materials; common in cooking, construction, and textile contexts.
Crude, vulgar, or lacking refinement in manner, speech, or taste.
"He apologized for his coarse remarks at the meeting."
Carries negative connotation; implies vulgarity or poor taste rather than mere informality.
"Course" and "coarse" are perfect homophones — but only one of them will scratch you when you touch it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of coarse
"Coarse" entered English in the late Middle English period, likely in the early 15th century, adapted from French "cours" meaning "ordinary" or "common" (as in "courante"), which traces back to Latin "cursus," meaning "a running" or "course" — the same root that gives us "course," "discourse," and "concours." Its original sense of "ordinary" shifted to mean "of inferior quality" and then "rough in texture" or "unrefined in manner." It remains a homophone of "course" in modern English.
Related word forms
How coarse is actually used
"Coarse" is a neutral descriptive word when referring to texture (as with fabrics, grains, or food), but it carries clear negative connotation when applied to behavior or language, implying vulgarity rather than mere informality. It is standard in both formal and informal registers across British and American English.
Easily confused with coarse
"Course" means a path of movement, a series of lessons, or part of a meal, while "coarse" means rough in texture or crude in manner — the two are homophones with entirely different meanings.