Reading Theme:

Roughly Meaning: Approx vs Harshly Usage & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1:approximately (roughly)

roughly 🔊
/ˈrʌfli/
adv.
Not exact, but close to the real number or amount.
Roughly meaning approximately: person estimating brick count at construction site
approximately 🔊
/əˈprɑːksɪmətli/
adv.
Used to indicate an amount, number, time, or degree that is not exact but close to the real value.
📁 Category:Social Economy 🔖 Level:Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation
From Old English 'ruh' (rough, uneven) + adverbial suffix '-ly'.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a rough stone: you can only guess its weight 'roughly', not exactly.
📖 Example
The new smartphone costs roughly 800 dollars. 🔊 The new smartphone costs approximately 800 dollars.
🔗 Collocations
roughly equal – approximately the same in value or size
roughly the same – nearly identical
roughly estimated – calculated in a general way without precision
🔄 Synonyms
about (adv.) – Used to indicate an approximate number or amount.
approximately (adv.) – Used to show that something is almost but not exactly correct.
around (adv.) – Used to express an approximate number.
🚫 Antonyms
exactly (adv.) – In an exact manner; without approximation.
precisely (adv.) – In exact terms; without vagueness.
accurately (adv.) – In a way that is correct in all details.
🌱 Derivatives
rough (adj.) – Not smooth or exact; approximate.
roughness (n.) – The quality of being rough or approximate.
roughly (adv.) – Already defined as the word itself.
📖 Cultural Story
Originating from Old English 'ruh' meaning coarse cloth, the word evolved to describe uneven surfaces. By the 19th century, its sense of approximation emerged in surveying and measurement contexts, where rough estimates were common.

Meaning 2:harshly (roughly)

roughly 🔊
/ˈrʌfli/
adv.
In a way that is not careful or gentle, quick and without attention to detail.
Roughly meaning harshly: hands using coarse sandpaper on rough wood surface
harshly 🔊
/ˈhɑːrʃli/
adv.
In a manner that is not careful, gentle, or thorough; showing a lack of attention to detail.
📁 Category:Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level:Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example
He roughly sanded the wooden table, leaving visible scratch marks. 🔊 He sanded the wooden table in a harsh manner, leaving visible scratch marks.
🔗 Collocations
roughly handle – to treat or manage something with little care
roughly treat – to behave towards someone or something harshly
roughly made – constructed without attention to finish or detail
🔄 Synonyms
harshly (adv.) – In a rough, unkind, or severe manner.
violently (adv.) – With great physical force or intensity.
brutally (adv.) – In a cruel, violent, or harsh way.
🚫 Antonyms
gently (adv.) – In a mild, careful, or soft manner.
carefully (adv.) – With close attention to avoid damage or mistakes.
smoothly (adv.) – In an even, gentle, or effortless way.
🌱 Derivatives
rough (adj.) – Having an uneven surface; not gentle.
roughness (n.) – The quality of being harsh or uneven.
roughen (v.) – To make or become rough.
Wordbook
Font Color:
Background Color:
Your data is saved in this browser