roughly

roughly — adverb

1. used when stating a number, amount, or time that is not exact but is close enoug

1.副詞B1
釋義

used when stating a number, amount, or time that is not exact but is close enough to be a fair estimate of the real figure

例句

The journey from London to Manchester takes roughly three hours by train.

roughly + time duration

Roughly two hundred people gathered in the town square for the festival.

同義詞
  • approximately

    slightly more formal than 'roughly'; preferred in academic and professional writing

  • about

    more common in everyday speech; slightly less precise-sounding than 'roughly'

  • around

    informal; often used with round numbers and time expressions

反義詞
  • exactly

    indicates perfect precision, the opposite of an estimate

文法句型

roughly + number/amount

roughly + time period

用法筆記

Commonly placed before numbers, amounts, or time expressions. More informal than 'approximately' but acceptable in most writing.

常見錯誤

❌It costs roughly to $50.
✅It costs roughly $50.
💡'roughly' goes directly before the number without 'to'.
❌Roughly it takes three hours.
✅It takes roughly three hours.
💡'roughly' typically comes right before the figure it modifies.

2. done without concern for a smooth or even finish; marked by a lack of attention

2.副詞B2
釋義

done without concern for a smooth or even finish; marked by a lack of attention to precision or fine detail in the making or shaping of something

例句

The old cabin was built with roughly cut logs that still had bark on them.

Salma sketched the map roughly on a napkin, showing only the main streets.

roughly + past participle (roughly sketched)

同義詞
  • crudely

    stronger negative connotation; suggests the result is poorly made, not just unfinished

  • coarsely

    often used with grinding, chopping, or textile-related actions

  • unevenly

    focuses on the irregular surface or result rather than the method

反義詞
  • smoothly

    describes an even, polished surface or result

  • finely

    indicates careful, detailed work

文法句型

roughly + past participle (e.g. roughly cut, roughly made)

用法筆記

Frequently combines with past participles of verbs describing making, cutting, or shaping (roughly made, roughly finished, roughly dressed). The focus is on the lack of a refined or smooth finish.

常見錯誤

❌He roughly cut the vegetables and the pieces were uneven.
✅He roughly chopped the vegetables into uneven pieces.
💡'roughly cut' is acceptable but 'roughly chopped' is far more idiomatic in cooking contexts.

3. in a harsh way that involves physical force or aggressive treatment, showing no

3.副詞B2
釋義

in a harsh way that involves physical force or aggressive treatment, showing no gentleness or concern for the other person

例句

The security guard grabbed the teenager roughly by the arm and led him away.

Haruto was pushed roughly to the ground during the chaos outside the stadium.

同義詞
  • violently

    stronger; implies intent to cause harm or injury, not just lack of gentleness

  • harshly

    broader; can describe both physical treatment and words or tone

  • forcefully

    more neutral; suggests use of strength without necessarily implying unfairness

反義詞
  • gently

    describes careful, soft, or kind treatment

  • kindly

    emphasises positive intentions in how someone is treated

文法句型

verb + object + roughly

用法筆記

Describes actions done without care for the physical well-being of the target. Common with verbs of physical contact: push, grab, handle, treat, shove. Often carries an implication of unfair or unnecessary force.

常見錯誤

❌He roughly spoke to me.
✅He spoke to me roughly.
💡'roughly' in this sense is an adverb of manner and typically follows the verb (or verb + object), not placed before it.