unrefined

/ˌʌnrɪˈfaɪnd/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌʌnrifˈaɪnd] /ˌʌnrɪˈfaɪnd/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌʌnrifˈaɪnd] /ˌən-ri-ˈfīnd How to pronounce unrefined (audio)/ (ame, mw)

unrefined — adjective

  • unrefinedpositive
  • more unrefinedcomparative
  • most unrefinedsuperlative

1. describes a substance — for example, sugar, oil, or metal — that remains in the

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a substance — for example, sugar, oil, or metal — that remains in the state it is found in nature and has not been through any treatment to remove impurities.

例句

The restaurant kitchen uses unrefined cane sugar in all its desserts.

collocation: unrefined + cane sugar / olive oil

Unrefined olive oil has a stronger taste than the ordinary filtered kind.

同義詞
  • raw

    more common and broader; raw sugar = unrefined sugar, but raw also applies to uncooked food

  • crude

    overlaps closely, especially for petroleum and metals; crude carries a stronger sense of roughness

  • unprocessed

    more general; can apply to foods that have not been treated in any way

  • natural

    broader and more positive; emphasises the absence of artificial additives

反義詞
  • refined

    direct opposite; processed to remove impurities

  • processed

    general opposite; altered from the natural state

文法句型

unrefined + noun

be + unrefined

用法筆記

Commonly paired with nouns for food ingredients and raw fuels (sugar, oil, flour, metal, petroleum). The direct opposite of this sense is refined.

常見錯誤

❌I bought unrefined bread from the bakery.
✅I bought whole-grain bread from the bakery.
💡'Unrefined' describes raw ingredients such as sugar or oil, not prepared foods such as bread.
❌The water is unrefined and safe to drink.
✅The water is untreated and safe to drink.
💡'Unrefined' is used for substances that are normally refined for consumption, not for water, which is treated or filtered.

2. not having the polite manners, taste, or self-control that people expect from so

2.形容詞B2
釋義

not having the polite manners, taste, or self-control that people expect from someone who has been well educated or raised in a cultured environment.

例句

Lukas's unrefined table manners embarrassed his date at the expensive restaurant.

attributive: unrefined + manners / behaviour / taste

The dinner guests found the host's jokes unrefined and avoided his parties.

pattern: find + noun + unrefined

同義詞
  • uncouth

    more intense and more negative; suggests awkwardness as well as lack of refinement

  • coarse

    focuses on vulgarity and crudeness in speech or behaviour

  • vulgar

    stronger negative charge; suggests offensiveness, especially about sexual or bodily matters

  • rough

    less formal; can imply bluntness without the strong negative tone

反義詞
  • refined

    direct opposite; having good manners and taste

  • polished

    smooth, well-mannered in social situations

  • cultured

    having knowledge of and interest in arts, literature, etc.

  • sophisticated

    having worldly experience and refined tastes

文法句型

unrefined + noun

be + unrefined

find + noun + unrefined

用法筆記

Often used about manners, humour, speech, or taste. Slightly more formal than 'rude' and broader in scope — 'rude' describes a single act, while 'unrefined' describes an overall style or lack of training.

常見錯誤

❌He was unrefined to his teacher.
✅He was rude to his teacher.
💡'Unrefined' describes a person's general manners or style, not a single action directed at someone.
❌She wore an unrefined dress to the party.
✅She wore an unstylish dress to the party.
💡'Unrefined' for people is about behaviour and manners, not about clothing or appearance.