Roughen

Pronunciation: /ˈrʌfən/

Definitions of roughen

verb to make or become rough or rougher in texture or surface

Example Sentences

A1 I roughen the edges of the paper to make it look old.

A2 She used sandpaper to roughen the surface of the wood before painting it.

B1 The constant exposure to the elements has roughened the texture of the stone steps.

B2 The harsh weather conditions have roughened the skin on my hands.

C1 The intense training regimen has roughened his once smooth demeanor.

C2 Years of hard work and dedication have roughened the edges of his personality, making him more resilient.

Examples of roughen in a Sentence

formal The sandpaper was used to roughen the surface of the wood before painting.

informal I roughened up the edges of the paper to give it a more rustic look.

slang I roughened my hair with some gel to get that messy look.

figurative The challenges of life can roughen us, but they also make us stronger.

Grammatical Forms of roughen

• past tense: roughened
• plural: roughens
• comparative: rougher
• superlative: roughest
• present tense: roughen
• future tense: will roughen
• perfect tense: have roughened
• continuous tense: is roughening
• singular: roughen
• positive degree: rough
• infinitive: to roughen
• gerund: roughening
• participle: roughened

Origin and Evolution of roughen

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The word 'roughen' originated from the Middle English word 'roughenen' which was derived from the Old English word 'ruh' meaning rough.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'roughen' has retained its original meaning of making something rough or uneven, but it has also come to be used metaphorically to describe making a situation or relationship more difficult or challenging.