roughneck Definition
- 1a person who works in an oil field, typically performing manual labor and operating machinery
- 2a tough or rowdy person who is prone to violence
Using roughneck: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "roughneck" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The roughnecks were working hard to extract the oil from the ground.
Example
He was known as a roughneck in his youth, always getting into fights and causing trouble.
Example
The roughneck lifestyle can be physically demanding and dangerous.
roughneck Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for roughneck
- driller
- roustabout
- tough
- rowdy
- oil worker
Phrases with roughneck
Example
The roughneck crew worked tirelessly to extract the oil from the ground.
a method of drilling for oil that involves the use of heavy machinery and manual labor
Example
Roughneck drilling is a physically demanding job that requires strength and endurance.
Example
The team's roughneck football style earned them a reputation as one of the toughest in the league.
Summary: roughneck in Brief
A 'roughneck' [ruhf-nek] is a person who works in an oil field, performing manual labor and operating machinery. It can also refer to a tough or rowdy person who is prone to violence. Examples include 'The roughnecks were working hard to extract the oil from the ground.' and 'He was known as a roughneck in his youth, always getting into fights and causing trouble.' Phrases like 'roughneck crew' and 'roughneck drilling' denote the physically demanding and dangerous nature of the job.
