1
: not cooked
2
a(1)
: being in or nearly in the natural state : not processed or purified
raw fibers
raw sewage
(2)
: not diluted or blended
raw spirits
b
: unprepared or imperfectly prepared for use
c
: not being in polished, finished, or processed form
raw data
a raw draft of a thesis
3
a(1)
: having the surface abraded or chafed
(2)
: very irritated
a raw sore throat
b
: lacking covering : naked
c
: not protected : susceptible to hurt
raw emotions
4
5
: disagreeably damp or cold
a raw winter day
rawly
adverb
rawness
noun
: a raw place or state
Synonyms
Examples of raw in a Sentence
Adjective
He entered the raw data into a spreadsheet.
The shoes rubbed my heels raw.
His throat was raw from the cold air.
Noun
a secluded swimming hole where we could swim in the raw
Recent Examples on the Web
Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024
Sambora asks in his first appearance, which is positioned almost like a cliffhanger at the end of episode one — the series is more respectful than raw.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for raw 
Adjective
The agency also says the dairy industry shouldn't manufacture or sell raw milk or raw milk products, including cheese made with raw milk, from any cows showing symptoms of illness or exposed to other cows that have bird flu.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024
Sambora asks in his first appearance, which is positioned almost like a cliffhanger at the end of episode one — the series is more respectful than raw.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for raw
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'raw.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near raw
Cite this Entry
“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raw. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
raw
1 of 2 adjective1
: not cooked
a raw carrot
2
a
: being in or nearly in the natural state : not processed or purified
raw milk
raw sewage
b
: not in a finished, organized, or polished form
the raw edge of a seam
raw data
3
a
: having the surface scraped or roughened
raw red hands
b
: very sore or irritated
a raw throat
4
: not trained or experienced
a raw recruit
5
: unpleasantly damp or cold
a raw wind
rawly
adverb
rawness
noun
raw
2 of 2 noun
: a raw place or state
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