Roughen - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
To roughen means to make or become rough or uneven in texture or surface. It often describes actions like sanding, scraping, or weathering that alter smoothness. Example: Wind roughens wood over time.
Definition:
To make or become rough in texture or surface.
Synonyms:
coarsen, toughen, abrade, scratch
Part of Speech:
verb
Antonyms:
smooth, polish
Common Collocations:
roughen the surface, roughen edges, roughen skin
Derivatives:
roughened, roughening
Usage Tips:
Use "roughen" to describe making a surface less smooth, often for better grip or texture.
Common Phrases:
roughen up, roughen the edges, roughen the finish
Etymology:
Derived from "rough," from Old English "rūh," meaning uneven or hairy, with the suffix "-en" to form a verb.
Examples:
- 1. The sandpaper will roughen the wood before painting.
- 2. Her hands began to roughen after years of hard work.
- 3. The storm’s wind can roughen the ocean’s surface quickly.
- 4. He used a file to roughen the metal edges slightly.