Unrefined — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌən-ri-ˈfīnd/ un·re·fined

Meaning & Definition of Unrefined

Unrefined (adjective)

  1. not refined
  2. lacking moral or social cultivation, coarse, uncouth
  3. not separated from dross, impurity, or unwanted matter

Unrefined (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining

    "unrefined sugar"

    similar: crude, native, natural, raw, rude, undressed, unprocessed, untreated, in the raw, in the rough
    related: undeveloped, rough-hewn, semifinished, unfinished, unpolished, uncooked, impure, unfiltered
    opposite: dressed, processed, refined, treated
    near: filtered, pure, purified

  2. hastily or roughly constructed

    "an unrefined mountaineer's hut"

    similar: artless, clumsy, crude, jerry-built, jerry-rigged, jury-rigged, rough, rough-and-ready, rough-and-tumble, rough-hewn, rude
    related: defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect, imprecise, inexact, inartistic, undressed, unfinished, unpolished, unworked, amateur, amateurish, inexpert, unprofessional, unskilled, unskillful, primitive, rudimentary, unshaped, unshapen
    opposite: refined
    near: faultless, finished, flawless, meticulous, perfect, perfected, polished, well-done, adept, adroit, dexterous, expert, masterful, masterly, neat, practiced, skillful, workmanlike, artful, artistic, sophisticated, exact, precise

  3. lacking in refinement or good taste

    "guilty of such unrefined behavior as eating with their mouths open"

    similar: coarse, common, crass, crude, gross, ill-bred, illiberal (archaic), incult, insensible, low, lowbred, lowbrow, raffish, rough, rough-hewn, roughneck, rude, rugged, tasteless, uncouth, uncultivated, uncultured, unpolished, vulgar
    related: boorish, churlish, cloddish, clownish, loutish, ungentlemanly, clumsy, lubberly, lumpish, oafish, inconsiderate, indelicate, insensitive, thoughtless, countrified, provincial, rustic, unsophisticated, graceless, inelegant, tacky, animallike, barbaric, barbarous, uncivilized, mannerless, unmannered, unmannerly
    opposite: civilized, cultivated, cultured, genteel, polished, refined, smooth, tasteful, ultrarefined, well-bred
    near: aristocratic, courtly, patrician, elegant, graceful, restrained, considerate, gracious, sensitive, thoughtful, citified, sophisticated, urbane

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Unrefined

The most common words with a similar meaning to Unrefined:

Archaic: illiberal
crude, native, natural, raw, rude, undressed, unprocessed, untreated, artless, clumsy, jerry-built, jerry-rigged, jury-rigged, rough, rough-and-ready, rough-and-tumble, rough-hewn, coarse, common, crass, gross, ill-bred, incult, insensible, low, lowbred, lowbrow, raffish, roughneck, rugged, tasteless, uncouth, uncultivated, uncultured, unpolished, vulgar, in the raw, in the rough

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Unrefined

Words with the opposite meaning of Unrefined:

dressed, processed, refined, treated, civilized, cultivated, cultured, genteel, polished, smooth, tasteful, ultrarefined, well-bred

Related Words for Unrefined

undeveloped, semifinished, unfinished, uncooked, impure, unfiltered, defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect, imprecise, inexact, inartistic, unworked, amateur, amateurish, inexpert, unprofessional, unskilled, unskillful, primitive, rudimentary, unshaped, unshapen, boorish, churlish, cloddish, clownish, loutish, ungentlemanly

Near Antonyms of Unrefined

filtered, pure, purified, faultless, finished, flawless, meticulous, perfect, perfected, well-done, adept, adroit, dexterous, expert, masterful, masterly, neat, practiced, skillful, workmanlike, artful, artistic, sophisticated, exact, precise, aristocratic, courtly, patrician, elegant, graceful

Origin & Etymology of Unrefined

First known use: 1582

Frequently Asked Questions about Unrefined

What does "Unrefined" mean?

"Unrefined" means not refined. As an adjective, it is defined as: not refined. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Unrefined"?

Other words for "Unrefined" include crude, native, natural, raw, rude, undressed, unprocessed and untreated. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Unrefined" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Unrefined"?

There are 90 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Unrefined". Common alternatives include crude, native, natural, raw, rude, undressed, unprocessed, untreated, artless and clumsy.

What is the opposite of "Unrefined"?

Antonyms of "Unrefined" include dressed, processed, refined, treated, civilized, cultivated, cultured and genteel. Near antonyms include filtered, pure, purified and faultless.

How do you use "Unrefined" in a sentence?

Examples of "Unrefined" in a sentence: "unrefined sugar"; "an unrefined mountaineer's hut"; "guilty of such unrefined behavior as eating with their mouths open".

Is "Unrefined" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Unrefined" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Unrefined"?

"Unrefined" is pronounced /ˌən-ri-ˈfīnd/ and divided into syllables as un·re·fined.

What is the origin of the word "Unrefined"?

First known use: 1582.