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Definition of roughage

roughage

/ˈrʌfɪdʒ/
rough · age
Plural:roughages
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roughage Lexical Profile

roughage Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Fibrous indigestible material in vegetable foodstuffs which aids the passage of food and waste products through the gut.

Example

"Eating plenty of fresh vegetables and whole grains provides the daily roughage necessary for healthy digestion."

2

Coarse, bulky feed for livestock, such as hay, straw, or silage, that is high in fiber and low in digestible nutrients.

Example

"During the winter months, the cattle are fed a diet consisting primarily of dry roughage and supplemental minerals."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for roughage

• Nearby Words

rough scaled death adder
rough scaled python
rough scaled snake
roughage
roughen
roughhewn
roughhouse

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the early 20th century, formed in English from the adjective "rough" combined with the collective noun suffix "-age," originally referring to coarse livestock fodder before being applied to human dietary fiber.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Roughage. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/roughage
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