raw

Use the word "raw" when food is not cooked:

• It’s not safe to eat raw meat. You should cook it first.
• Gabriel tells me beef is sometimes served raw in his home country.
• Raw fish is found in sushi.
• I like to eat herring raw.
• Raw vegetables, such as broccoli or carrots, taste good with some sort of a dip.

raw veggies

You can also use the word "raw" when something is new, freshly exposed, or a natural element:

• Raw materials needed for building a house are hard to find in the desert.
• Harold’s hands are still raw and blistered from working in his garden all day.
• The raw and unfinished appearance of her artwork drew both criticism and praise.
• A large group of raw military recruits had a tough first week of basic training.
• Kim hit a raw nerve when she mentioned John’s divorce. (a raw nerve = an emotionally difficult memory or experience)

There are a few expressions that use the word "raw."

• Cindy and Brad got a raw deal when they purchased their house. (a raw deal = a bad situation)
• Paparazzi secretly took photos of the celebrities as the lay on the beach in the raw. (in the raw = naked)

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