diamond in the rough

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But all eyes will be on Malinin, a skater with such unbridled athleticism and talent that the experts say he is still a diamond in the rough.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

“Everyone would want the diamond in the rough, which is really the studios business ... and HBO.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2025

Wild Mother had also turned to social media to find her tribe - having been called "a weirdo, an alien, a diamond in the rough" offline - and has built a following of thousands.

From BBC • Sep. 22, 2024

“I think there’s a lot of people on the sidelines thinking, ‘This is a diamond in the rough if you do it right.’

From Seattle Times • Mar. 9, 2024

Most of my siblings regard me as being spoiled and a troublemaker, but Pa says I am really a diamond in the rough.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung