in the raw

phrase

Synonyms of in the rawnext
1
: in a natural, unrefined, or crude state
2
: naked
slept in the raw

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of in the raw was in 1785

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In the raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20raw. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on in the raw

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!