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Crude: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：rude or vulgar (crude)
crude
/kruːd/
adj.
Not polite; saying or doing things in a way that is too direct and not respectful.
rude or vulgar
➕
/ruːd ɔːr ˈvʌlɡər/
adj.
Describing language, behavior, or humor that is offensive because it is too direct, lacks sophistication, or shows a disregard for social politeness.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'crudus' meaning 'raw, unprocessed'. Related to 'cruel' in the sense of raw, unrefined nature.
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'CRUDe' sounds like 'RUDE'. Both describe something lacking polish or refinement.
📖 Example
Her crude comments about his cooking really hurt his feelings.
Her disrespectful and tactless remarks about his cooking genuinely upset him.
🔗 Collocations
crude language – offensive or vulgar words
crude joke – a joke that is vulgar or in poor taste
crude behavior – actions that are socially unacceptable or impolite
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'crudus' (raw, bloody) via Old French. It originally described unprocessed physical materials. Its meaning expanded to describe unrefined behavior or art in the 17th century, reflecting a cultural shift towards valuing refinement.
Meaning 2：in a raw state (crude)
crude
/kruːd/
adj.
In its natural or raw state, not yet changed or improved by any process.
in a raw state
➕
/ɪn ə rɔː steɪt/
adj.
Referring to materials or resources in their natural, unprocessed, and unrefined form before being manufactured or treated.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The country's economy heavily depends on the export of crude oil and other natural resources.
The nation's economic well-being is largely reliant on selling unrefined petroleum and other raw materials to other countries.
🔗 Collocations
crude oil – unrefined petroleum as it is extracted from the ground
crude materials – raw substances used in manufacturing
crude data – unprocessed and unanalyzed information
🔄 Synonyms
unrefined (adj.) – not processed to remove impurities; in a raw state
raw (adj.) – in its natural state; not processed or cooked
unprocessed (adj.) – not treated or altered by a special process
Meaning 3：roughly made (crude)
crude
/kruːd/
adj.
Made or done in a simple way, not in detail or not very accurate.
roughly made
➕
/ˈrʌfli meɪd/
adj.
Describing something that is made or done in a simple, basic way without attention to detail, skill, or accuracy.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
He drew a crude map on a napkin to show me the way to the nearest supermarket.
He sketched a very simple and imprecise diagram on a napkin to give me directions to the closest grocery store.
🔗 Collocations
crude drawing – a simple, unskilled sketch
crude tools – basic, simple, or primitive instruments
crude shelter – a basic, roughly constructed place of refuge
🔄 Synonyms
rudimentary (adj.) – involving or limited to basic principles; undeveloped
primitive (adj.) – very simple or basic in a way that is like early times
makeshift (adj.) – serving as a temporary substitute; sufficient for the time being
🚫 Antonyms
sophisticated (adj.) – developed to a high degree of complexity
refined (adj.) – precise to a fine degree
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