Rough vs. Tough — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 25, 2024
Rough refers to a surface or texture that is uneven or coarse, often associated with physical sensations, while Tough denotes strength, resilience, or difficulty, applicable to materials, situations, or personalities.
Difference Between Rough and Tough
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Rough surfaces are characterized by irregularities and unevenness, which can be felt physically, such as the roughness of sandpaper. On the other hand, tough describes the ability to withstand stress or pressure, such as the toughness of leather or a person's mental resilience.
When referring to materials, "rough" focuses on the tactile qualities that make a surface abrasive or not smooth to the touch. In contrast, "tough" materials are praised for their durability and resistance to damage, highlighting the material's quality rather than its texture.
In the context of experiences or situations, something rough often implies difficulty in a more transient, surface-level sense, like a rough day meaning a day filled with minor troubles. Conversely, a tough situation typically suggests enduring challenges that require resilience or strength to overcome.
Personality descriptions also use these terms distinctively: a rough person may be seen as unrefined or harsh in manners or appearance, whereas a tough person is viewed as strong-willed or capable of handling difficult situations without yielding.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Uneven or coarse surface texture
Strength, resilience, or difficulty
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Application
Materials, surfaces
Materials, situations, personalities
Focus
Tactile quality
Durability, resistance, mental resilience
Context
Physical sensation, minor troubles
Endurance, overcoming challenges
Personality
Unrefined, harsh manners or appearance
Strong-willed, capable of handling pressure
Compare with Definitions
Rough
Characterized by an uneven or coarse surface.
The rough texture of the stone was ideal for the garden path.
Tough
Able to endure hardship or withstand stress.
The tough material of the backpack resisted tears and damage.
Rough
Experiencing minor troubles or discomfort.
It was a rough journey due to the turbulent weather.
Tough
Difficult to deal with or overcome.
The tough exam required extensive preparation.
Rough
Harsh or severe in nature.
The rough terrain made the hike challenging.
Tough
Capable of handling difficult situations.
He's tough enough to handle the job's demands.
Rough
Indicating a lack of refinement or polish.
His rough manners made him unpopular at formal gatherings.
Tough
Characterized by strength and resilience.
She showed a tough spirit during the competition.
Rough
Not detailed, but approximate.
He gave a rough estimate of the costs involved.
Tough
Strict or firm in one's actions or decisions.
The coach was tough but fair with the team.
Rough
Having an uneven or irregular surface; not smooth or level
Her skin felt dry and rough
They had to carry the victim across the rough, stony ground
Tough
(of a substance or object) strong enough to withstand adverse conditions or rough handling
Tough rucksacks for climbers
Rough
(of a person or their behaviour) not gentle; violent or boisterous
Pushchairs should be capable of withstanding rough treatment
Tough
Able to endure hardship or pain
She was as tough as old boots
Rough
Not finished tidily or decoratively; plain and basic
The customers sat at rough wooden tables
Tough
Demonstrating a strict and uncompromising approach
Police have been getting tough with drivers
Tough new laws on tobacco advertising
Rough
(of a voice) harsh and rasping
His voice was rough with barely suppressed fury
Tough
Strong and prone to violence
Tough young teenagers
Rough
Not exact or precise; approximate
It'll cost about £50, at a rough guess
They had a rough idea of when the murder took place
Tough
A rough and violent man
A gang of toughs
Rough
Difficult and unpleasant or unfair
The first day of a job is rough on everyone
The teachers gave me a rough time because my image didn't fit
Tough
Endure a period of hardship or difficulty.
Rough
In a manner that lacks gentleness; harshly or violently
Treat 'em rough but treat 'em fair
Tough
Able to withstand great strain without tearing or breaking; strong and resilient
A tough all-weather fabric.
Rough
A disreputable and violent person
The rear of the column was attacked by roughs
Tough
Hard to cut or chew
Tough meat.
Rough
(on a golf course) longer grass around the fairway and the green
His second shot lay in the rough
Tough
Physically hardy; rugged
Tough mountaineers.
A tough cop.
Rough
A preliminary sketch
I did a rough to work out the scale of the lettering
Tough
Strong-minded; resolute
A tough negotiator.
Rough
An uncut precious stone
Miners discovered one of the biggest diamond roughs in history
Tough
Aggressive; pugnacious.
Rough
Work or shape (something) in a rough, preliminary fashion
Flat surfaces of wood are roughed down
Tough
Inclined to violent or disruptive behavior; rowdy or rough
A tough street group.
Rough
Make uneven
Rough up the icing with a palette knife
Tough
Difficult to endure; severe; harsh
A tough winter.
Rough
Live in discomfort with only basic necessities
She'd had to rough it alone in digs
Tough
Trying or unpleasant
Had a tough day.
Rough
Having a surface marked by irregularities, protuberances, or ridges; not smooth
Planed the board so it was no longer rough.
Tough
Difficult to deal with; demanding or troubling
It's tough to go to school and work a full-time job. The exam had many tough questions.
Rough
Coarse or shaggy to the touch
A rough scratchy blanket.
Tough
(Informal) Unfortunate; too bad
It was a tough break to get sick on the day of the concert.
Rough
Difficult to travel over or through
The rough terrain of the highlands.
Tough
(Slang) Fine; great.
Rough
Characterized by violent motion; turbulent
Rough waters.
Tough
A violent or rowdy person; a hoodlum or thug.
Rough
Difficult to endure or live through, especially because of harsh or inclement weather
A rough winter.
Tough
(of a material) Strong and resilient; sturdy.
The tent, made of tough canvas, held up to many abuses.
Rough
Unpleasant or difficult
Had a rough time during the exam.
Tough
(of food) Difficult to cut or chew.
To soften a tough cut of meat, the recipe suggested simmering it for hours.
Rough
Characterized by or done with violence or forcefulness
A sport noted for rough play.
A package that received rough handling.
Tough
(of a person or animal) Rugged or physically hardy.
Only a tough species will survive in the desert.
Rough
Boisterous, disorderly, or given to violence
Ran with a rough crowd.
Tough
(of a person) Stubborn or persistent; capable of stubbornness or persistence.
He had a reputation as a tough negotiator.
Rough
Characterized by violence or crime
Lives in a rough neighborhood.
Tough
(of weather, etc.) Harsh or severe.
Rough
Lacking polish or finesse
Rough manners.
Tough
Rowdy or rough.
A bunch of the tough boys from the wrong side of the tracks threatened him.
Rough
Harsh to the ear
A rough raspy sound.
Tough
(of questions, etc.) Difficult or demanding.
This is a tough crowd.
Rough
Being in a natural state
Rough diamonds.
Tough
(material science) Undergoing plastic deformation before breaking.
Rough
Not perfected, completed, or fully detailed
A rough drawing.
Rough carpentry.
Tough
(slang) Used to indicate lack of sympathy
If you don't like it, tough!
Rough
The surface or part of something that is uneven or coarse
Felt the rough of his chin.
Tough
A person who obtains things by force; a thug or bully.
They were doing fine until they encountered a bunch of toughs from the opposition.
Rough
Rugged overgrown terrain.
Tough
To endure.
Rough
(Sports) The area of a golf hole in which the grass is left unmowed or is cut to a length longer than that of the fairway.
Tough
To toughen.
Rough
A disorderly, unrefined, or unfinished state.
Tough
Having the quality of flexibility without brittleness; yielding to force without breaking; capable of resisting great strain; as, the ligaments of animals are remarkably tough.
Rough
A difficult or disagreeable aspect or condition of something
Observed politics in the rough when working as an intern on Capitol Hill.
Tough
Not easily broken; able to endure hardship; firm; strong; - of objects and people; as, tough sinews.
A body made of brass, the crone demands, . . . Tough to the last, and with no toil to tire.
The basis of his character was caution combined with tough tenacity of purpose.
Rough
A person given to violent or disorderly behavior; a rowdy.
Tough
Not easily separated; viscous; clammy; tenacious; as, tough phlegm.
Rough
To treat roughly or with physical violence
Roughed up his opponent.
Tough
Stiff; rigid; not flexible; stubborn; as, a tough bow.
So tough a frame she could not bend.
Rough
(Sports) To treat (an opposing player) with unnecessary roughness, often in violation of the rules
Was ejected from the game for roughing the passer.
Tough
Severe; violent; as, a tough storm.
Rough
To prepare or indicate in an unfinished form
Rough out a house plan.
Tough
Difficult to do, perform, or accomplish; as, a tough job.
Rough
In a rough manner; roughly
The engine began to run rough and faltered.
Tough
Prone to aggressive or violent behavior; rowdyish; - of people, or groups; as, a tough neighborhood; a tough character.
Rough
Not smooth; uneven.
Tough
A person who is tough{7}; a ruffian; a thug; as, a cluster of neighborhood toughs hanging out on the corner.
Rough
Approximate; hasty or careless; not finished.
A rough estimate
A rough sketch of a building
A rough plan
Tough
Someone who learned to fight in the streets rather than being formally trained in the sport of boxing
Rough
Turbulent.
Rough sea
Tough
An aggressive and violent young criminal
Rough
Difficult; trying.
Being a teenager nowadays can be rough.
Tough
A cruel and brutal fellow
Rough
Crude; unrefined.
His manners are a bit rough, but he means well.
Tough
Not given to gentleness or sentimentality;
A tough character
Rough
Worn; shabby; weather-beaten.
Tough
Very difficult; severely testing stamina or resolution;
A rugged competitive examination
The rugged conditions of frontier life
The competition was tough
It's a tough life
It was a tough job
Rough
Violent; not careful or subtle.
This box has been through some rough handling.
Tough
Physically toughened;
The tough bottoms of his feet
Rough
Loud and hoarse; offensive to the ear; harsh; grating.
A rough tone
A rough voice
Tough
Substantially made or constructed;
Sturdy steel shelves
Sturdy canvas
A tough all-weather fabric
Some plastics are as tough as metal
Rough
(of a gem) Not polished; uncut.
A rough diamond
Tough
Violent and lawless;
The more ruffianly element
Tough street gangs
Rough
Harsh-tasting.
Rough wine
Tough
Feeling physical discomfort or pain (`tough' is occasionally used colloquially for `bad');
My throat feels bad
She felt bad all over
He was feeling tough after a restless night
Rough
Somewhat ill; sick; in poor condition.
Tough
Tough to cut or chew
Rough
Unwell due to alcohol; hungover.
Tough
Unfortunate or hard to bear;
Had hard luck
A tough break
Rough
The unmowed part of a golf course.
Rough
A rude fellow; a coarse bully; a rowdy.
Rough
(cricket) A scuffed and roughened area of the pitch, where the bowler's feet fall, used as a target by spin bowlers because of its unpredictable bounce.
Rough
The raw material from which faceted or cabochon gems are created.
Rough
A quick sketch, similar to a thumbnail but larger and more detailed, used for artistic brainstorming.
Rough
(obsolete) Boisterous weather.
Rough
A piece inserted in a horseshoe to keep the animal from slipping.
Rough
To create in an approximate form.
Rough in the shape first, then polish the details.
Rough
(ice hockey) To commit the offense of roughing, i.e. to punch another player.
Rough
To render rough; to roughen.
Rough
To break in (a horse, etc.), especially for military purposes.
Rough
To endure primitive conditions.
To rough it
Rough
(transitive) To roughen a horse's shoes to keep the animal from slipping.
Rough
In a rough manner; rudely; roughly.
Rough
Having inequalities, small ridges, or points, on the surface; not smooth or plain; as, a rough board; a rough stone; rough cloth.
Rough
Not polished; uncut; - said of a gem; as, a rough diamond.
More unequal than the roughest sea.
Rough
Hence, figuratively, lacking refinement, gentleness, or polish.
A fiend, a fury, pitiless and rough.
A surly boatman, rough as wayes or winds.
Rough
Marked by coarseness; shaggy; ragged; disordered; - said of dress, appearance, or the like; as, a rough coat.
Rough
Marked by severity or violence; harsh; hard; as, rough measures or actions.
On the rough edge of battle.
A quicker and rougher remedy.
Kind words prevent a good deal of that perverseness which rough and imperious usage often produces.
Rough
Loud and hoarse; offensive to the ear; harsh; grating; - said of sound, voice, and the like; as, a rough tone; rough numbers.
Rough
Austere; harsh to the taste; as, rough wine.
He stayeth his rough wind.
Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.
Rough
Hastily or carelessly done; wanting finish; incomplete; as, a rough estimate; a rough draught.
Rough
Produced offhand.
Rough
Boisterous weather.
Rough
A rude fellow; a coarse bully; a rowdy.
Contemplating the people in the rough.
Rough
In a rough manner; rudely; roughly.
Sleeping rough on the trenches, and dying stubbornly in their boats.
Rough
To render rough; to roughen.
Rough
To break in, as a horse, especially for military purposes.
Rough
To cut or make in a hasty, rough manner; - with out; as, to rough out a carving, a sketch.
Rough
The part of a golf course bordering the fairway where the grass is not cut short
Rough
Prepare in preliminary or sketchy form
Rough
Having or caused by an irregular surface;
Trees with rough bark
Rough ground
A rough ride
Rough skin
Rough blankets
His unsmooth face
Unsmooth writing
Rough
(of persons or behavior) lacking refinement or finesse;
She was a diamond in the rough
Rough manners
Rough
Not quite exact or correct;
The approximate time was 10 o'clock
A rough guess
A ballpark estimate
Rough
Full of hardship or trials;
The rocky road to success
They were having a rough time
Rough
Violently agitated and turbulent;
Boisterous winds and waves
The fierce thunders roar me their music
Rough weather
Rough seas
Rough
Unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound;
A gravelly voice
Rough
Ready and able to resort to force or violence;
Pugnacious spirits...lamented that there was so little prospect of an exhilarating disturbance
They were rough and determined fighting men
Rough
Of the margin of a leaf shape; having the edge cut or fringed or scalloped
Rough
Not shaped by cutting or trimming;
An uncut diamond
Rough gemstones
Rough
Not carefully or expertly made;
Managed to make a crude splint
A crude cabin of logs with bark still on them
Rough carpentry
Rough
Not perfected;
A rough draft
A few rough sketches
Rough
Unpleasantly stern;
Wild and harsh country full of hot sand and cactus
The nomad life is rough and hazardous
Rough
With roughness or violence (`rough' is an informal variant for `roughly');
He was pushed roughly aside
They treated him rough
Rough
With rough motion as over a rough surface;
Ride rough
Common Curiosities
Can a material be both rough and tough?
Yes, a material can have a rough texture while also being durable and resistant to damage.
Can "rough" also describe a person's behavior?
Yes, a person described as rough may exhibit harsh or unrefined behavior.
Can a situation be described as both rough and tough?
Yes, a situation can be rough in its immediate discomfort and tough in terms of the resilience needed to overcome it.
What makes a "tough decision" different from a "rough choice"?
A tough decision involves difficult options requiring strength to choose, while a rough choice might imply a lack of refinement or ideal options.
How do "rough" and "tough" relate to sports?
In sports, "rough" may refer to aggressive play or conditions, whereas "tough" often describes a player's or team's resilience and durability.
Is "tough" always a positive attribute?
While often seen as positive, being tough can be perceived negatively if it leads to inflexibility or insensitivity.
In what contexts might "tough" imply resilience rather than difficulty?
When describing a person's character, "tough" often implies mental or emotional resilience in facing hardships.
What distinguishes a "rough draft" from a "tough draft"?
A rough draft is an initial, unrefined version of a work, while "tough draft" isn't a commonly used term; tough conditions might describe the challenging process of creating a draft.
How do "rough" and "tough" play roles in personal development?
Experiencing rough situations can expose one to minor hardships, while developing toughness involves building resilience through overcoming challenges.
Can landscapes be described using "rough" and "tough"?
Yes, landscapes can be rough in texture, like rocky terrains, or tough in terms of difficulty to traverse.
How does "rough" differ when describing an estimate?
A rough estimate is approximate, lacking detail and precision, emphasizing a general idea rather than accuracy.
Can "tough" be used to describe food?
Yes, when food is difficult to chew or digest, it is described as tough.
Is "tough love" similar to being rough?
Tough love involves being strict or firm to help someone improve, which is different from roughness, as it's guided by caring intentions rather than harshness.
How do "rough" and "tough" influence artistic expression?
Artists may use rough textures to convey raw emotion or toughness to depict strength and resilience in their work.
How does one's background influence the perception of "rough" or "tough"?
Personal experiences and cultural background can shape how one perceives and values roughness or toughness, with some viewing them as essential traits for resilience.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
