Crossword Genius

Rough track by the sound of it (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

coarse

'rough' is the definition.
('coarse' can be similar in meaning to 'rough')

'track by the sound of it' is the wordplay.
'track' becomes 'course' ('course' can be a synonym of 'track').
'by the sound of it' shows a homophone (sound like).
'course' sounds like 'COARSE'.

(Other definitions for coarse that I've seen before include "Rude, base" , "Rude, vulgar" , "Rough, harsh" , "Large-grained or rough to the touch" , "Vulgar; not fine" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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