Sound-alike words

Coarse vs. Course

Coarse is an adjective meaning rough, thick or crude. Course is usually a noun for a path, a class, a part of a meal or a series of steps. Coarse sand feels rough; a course is something you follow or take.

Word	Part of speech	Meaning
coarse	adjective	rough or thick in texture, or made of large grains or pieces
coarse	adjective	rude or crude in manners or language
course	noun	a class or program of study, or one part of a meal
course	noun	the path or direction something moves in, or the way events develop over time

Coarse

adjective: rough or thick in texture, or made of large grains or pieces

Use coarse salt for the crust on the roast.
The wool blanket was warm but felt coarse against my skin.

adjective: rude or crude in manners or language

His coarse jokes made the dinner guests uncomfortable.
The editor cut a few coarse words from the interview.

Course

noun: a class or program of study, or one part of a meal

Priya signed up for a course in basic accounting.
The main course was grilled fish with rice.

noun: the path or direction something moves in, or the way events develop over time

The pilot changed course to fly around the storm.
Over the course of the year, the town built a new library.

How to remember the difference

Coarse sand is abrasive: coarse and abrasive both have an a. A course is something you take or follow, and course has the u of you.

Good to know

Of course, the phrase meaning naturally or certainly, is always spelled with course. So are golf course, racecourse and collision course.

Spot the mistake

Of ~~coarse~~ course you can borrow my bike this weekend.
Correct: Of course you can borrow my bike this weekend.
This bread is made from ~~course~~ coarse whole wheat flour.
Correct: This bread is made from coarse whole wheat flour.

Check yourself

Pick the word that fits each sentence.

1. Grind the pepper until it is but not powdery.

2. The ship stayed on despite the strong wind.