Coarsely means in a rough, crude, or unrefined way. When you chop vegetables coarsely, you cut them into large, uneven chunks rather than fine, uniform pieces. Coarsely ground pepper has big, visible flakes instead of a smooth powder.

The word describes texture and quality. Coarsely woven fabric feels rough to the touch because the threads are thick and loosely spaced. Sandpaper with coarsely grained particles scratches more aggressively than fine sandpaper. When something is done coarsely, it lacks smoothness, delicacy, or careful attention to detail.

Coarsely can also describe behavior or speech. Someone who speaks coarsely uses vulgar or crude language instead of polite words. A coarsely made joke might be obvious and unsophisticated rather than clever. In this sense, the word suggests a lack of refinement or sensitivity.

The opposite of coarsely is finely: finely chopped onions are almost like a paste, while coarsely chopped ones have distinct pieces. Think of it this way: coarse is chunky, rough, and obvious, while fine is smooth, delicate, and precise.