Definition

The quality or state of having an uneven or irregular surface; the texture that is not smooth.

Example

The roughness of the stone made it difficult to walk on.

Conversation

Have you noticed the roughness of this fabric?

Yeah, it feels a bit scratchy, doesn't it?

I wonder if it will soften after a few washes.

I hope so! I really like the color.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Roughness → It is formed from "rough" (from Old English "ruh", meaning uneven or coarse) and "-ness" (meaning the state or quality of). The word "roughness" refers to the quality of being uneven or coarse.

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'rough' to remember that 'roughness' means the quality of being uneven or coarse.

Visually Confused Words