raw

I UK [rɔː] / US [rɔ] adjective **

1)

a) raw food has not been cooked, or has not been thoroughly cooked

raw meat

The chicken is still raw.

b) raw substances have not been changed by any chemical processes

raw silk/cotton

There was raw sewage on the beach.

See:

raw materials

2)

a) a raw emotion or quality is strong and natural, but not controlled or developed

raw anger/bitterness/excitement

There's a lot of raw talent here.

b) basic and natural, and not developed or made more pleasant or satisfactory

He gives a raw account of life in the camps.

Their music is still raw and unpretentious.

3) raw data consists of information, facts etc that have not been examined or organized

4) not trained or experienced

They are mostly raw recruits, not professional soldiers.

5) if your skin is raw, it is very sore

His face was raw from the cold.

red raw (= red and sore):

I scrubbed my hands until they were red raw.

6) raw weather is cold and unpleasant

7) British the raw edge of a piece of cloth is an edge where the fibres are loose and separate

8) American informal containing sexual language or detailed descriptions of sex

•

touch/hit a raw nerve — to upset someone by referring to something that they are sensitive about

His criticisms clearly touched a raw nerve.

- a raw deal

Derived word:
rawness
noun uncountable

There was a rawness and honesty in the children's paintings.

The rawness in the air suggested snow.

II UK [rɔː] / US [rɔ] noun

- in the raw