Roughly Definition
roughly
adverb
- (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct; "lasted approximately an hour"; "in just about a minute"; "he's about 30 years old"; "I've had about all I can stand"; "we meet about once a month"; "some forty people came"; "weighs around a hundred pounds"; "roughly $3,000"; "holds 3 gallons, more or less"; "20 or so people were at the party"
- with roughness or violence (`rough' is an informal variant for `roughly'); "he was pushed roughly aside"; "they treated him rough"
- with rough motion as over a rough surface; "ride rough"
"Roughly" in song lyrics
See how roughly is used in real songs:
-
"Most like it gentle, but some like it roughly"
Big Pokey f/ Chris Ward, Godfather — Little Mama's -
"Not exact, but roughly"
Molemen f/ MURS & Slug — My Alien Girlfriend
Words that rhyme with roughly
Usage tips for "roughly"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "roughly" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for roughly to find words that pair well.