To negatively criticize.
"The coach harshly criticized the team's lackluster performance after the final whistle."
unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses
"the harsh cry of a blue jay"
"harsh cognac"
"the harsh white light makes you screw up your eyes"
"harsh irritating smoke filled the hallway"
Unpleasantly rough to the touch or other senses.
"The harsh fabric of his coat scratched against her skin as she pulled it on."
In plain English: Harsh means something is very rough, mean, or unpleasant to deal with.
"The wind was harsh and bit at his face all day long."
Usage: Use harsh to describe sounds, light, weather, or textures that are unpleasantly intense or abrasive rather than soft and gentle. Avoid confusing it with severe when describing a person's character, as harsh specifically emphasizes sensory discomfort.
A surname.
"The Harsh family has lived in the valley for three generations."
The word harsh entered English in the 13th century via Middle English forms like harisk and herris. It ultimately traces back to Old Norse and related West Germanic words for "rough" or literally "hairy," derived from a root meaning hair.