1. Rough or unrefined in texture: This is the most common meaning of "coarse." It can be used to describe things like fabric, skin, food, or even language.
* Example: "The fabric felt coarse against her skin."
* Example: "He spoke in a coarse voice."
2. Crude or vulgar: This meaning of "coarse" refers to behavior or language that is considered offensive or inappropriate.
* Example: "He made a coarse joke about her appearance."
* Example: "Her language was considered coarse by many."
The homonym "coarse" is often confused with "course," which has a different meaning altogether. "Course" refers to a path, a series of events, or a subject of study.
Here's an example to highlight the difference:
* "The fabric was coarse, and the course of the river was treacherous."
In this sentence, "coarse" describes the texture of the fabric, while "course" refers to the path of the river.