What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ruggedness
Example
The hikers struggled to climb the rugged mountain trail. [ruggedness: noun]
Example
His rugged features gave him a tough and masculine look. [rugged: adjective]
Example
The backpack was designed for rugged outdoor use. [rugged: adjective]
roughness
Example
The roughness of the sandpaper made it difficult to smooth out the wood. [roughness: noun]
Example
His roughness towards his coworkers made him unpopular in the office. [roughness: noun]
Example
The storm caused rough seas, making the boat ride uncomfortable. [rough: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Roughness is more commonly used than ruggedness in everyday language. Roughness is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ruggedness is less common and has a more specific meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ruggedness and roughness?
Both ruggedness and roughness are typically associated with an informal tone. However, ruggedness may be used in more formal contexts when describing the durability or strength of an object.
