Pronunciation: [ɹˈʌfli] (IPA) 
The word "roughly" is spelled with the letter combination "ou" which represents the sound /ʌ/. This diphthong (two vowel sounds blended together) is often pronounced incorrectly by non-native English speakers who may mistake it for the vowel sound /u/. The word also contains the silent letter "gh" which can cause confusion as it is not pronounced. The correct way to pronounce "roughly" in IPA phonetic transcription is /ˈrʌfli/.
Roughly, adverb, pronounced as "RUHF-lee"
1. In an approximate or imprecise manner; roughly indicates an estimation or generalization without exact precision or accuracy. It suggests a lack of exactitude or attention to detail. It implies a broad or hasty assessment rather than a thorough or meticulous evaluation.
2. Approximately or around a specific quantity, number, or time; roughly is used to convey a close or rough estimate of a given value or duration. It suggests a range or proximity rather than an exact figure. It implies a calculation or measurement made without great specificity.
3. In a coarse or uneven manner; roughly describes a roughness or lack of smoothness in the way something is executed, performed, or constructed. It implies irregularity, ruggedness, or unfinished aspects in the appearance or quality of an object or a process.
4. With force or lack of gentleness; roughly signifies a lack of delicacy, gentleness or refinement in handling or treating something or someone. It implies a certain degree of harshness, impoliteness, or lack of sensitivity.
5. Approximately or as a general rule; roughly suggests a typical or prevailing behavior, pattern, or principle. It conveys a broad sense of how something generally happens or can be expected, without accounting for specific or exceptional circumstances.
In summary, "roughly" is an adverb that generally implies an approximate or imprecise manner, indicating an estimation, lack of detail, proximity, lack of smoothness, lack of gentleness, or a general rule.
In a rough manner; with uneven surface; harshly; severely.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "roughly" originates from the adjective "rough", which can be traced back to the Old English word "ruh", meaning "unwrought" or "unsmooth". In Middle English, it evolved into "roughe" or "rowe", which denoted the sense of unevenness, coarseness, or lack of refinement. The suffix "-ly" was then added to form the adverbial form "roughly", giving it the meaning of approximately or not precisely.
