Standard Lemma guide

coarsen

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈkɔː(ɹ)sən/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɔː(ɹ)sən

1

verb

Meaning 1

To make (more) coarse.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • 1941, Emily Carr, Klee Wyck, Chapter 6 "D'Sonoqua," http://www.gutenberg.net.au/ebooks01/0100131h.html She appeared to be neither wooden nor stationary, but a singing spirit, young and fresh, passing through the jungle. No violence coarsened her; no power domineered to wither her. She was graciously feminine.
  • Because the wool is of poor quality, it will coarsen the fabric.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To become (more) coarse.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

make less subtle or refined

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • coarsen one's ideals

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change, alter, modify

4

verb

Meaning 4

make or become coarse or coarser

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • coarsen the surface
  • Their minds coarsened

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change, alter, modify

History

Etymology

From coarse + -en.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Armenian: կոպտացնել (koptacʻnel) — make (more) coarse
  • Armenian: կոշտացնել (koštacʻnel) — make (more) coarse
  • Armenian: կոպտանալ (koptanal) — become(more) coarse
  • Armenian: կոշտանալ (koštanal) — become(more) coarse