Raspy: meaning, definitions and examples

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raspy

[ˈræspi ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

voice quality

Having a rough, harsh sound, as if caused by a sore throat or dryness.

Synonyms

croaky, gravelly, hoarse, husky, scratchy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
raspy	Describes a rough, harsh, and grating voice, often due to irritation or illness. After shouting all day at the concert, his voice became raspy Her tone was raspy from the cold
hoarse	A describes a husky, rough voice, usually caused by shouting, fatigue, or an infection. She became hoarse after cheering for hours at the game His voice was hoarse, but he kept on speaking
gravelly	Refers to a deep, rough, and harsh voice, like the sound of gravel being moved. His gravelly voice made him perfect for narrating haunted house stories She answered in a gravelly whisper
scratchy	Describes a harsh, irritating voice, as if something is scratching or irritating the throat. Her voice sounded scratchy after the long lecture With a scratchy voice, he asked for a glass of water
husky	Refers to a slightly breathy, low, and often attractively rough voice. She greeted him with a husky voice that caught his attention His husky tone was both soothing and intriguing
croaky	Indicates a low, rough, and often frog-like voice, typically due to a sore throat or cold. He sounded croaky when he caught a bad cold Her croaky voice made it difficult to understand her

Examples of usage

My voice became raspy after shouting at the concert all night.
She had a raspy cough that lingered for weeks.
The old man's raspy laughter echoed through the room.
The singer's raspy vocals added a unique texture to the song.
His raspy whisper was barely audible.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'raspy' comes from the Old English 'raspian', meaning to scrape or have a harsh sound.
It has been used since the early 19th century to describe sounds that are rough or scratchy.
In literature, it often describes voices that sound hoarse, indicating a speaker may be tired or sick.

Sound Studies

Raspy sounds can occur due to vocal cord strain, which may happen after shouting or illness.
In music, raspy voices are sometimes preferred for their unique, gritty texture, adding character to a performance.
Certain musical genres like blues often feature artists with raspy, soulful voices that evoke strong emotions.

Health

A raspy voice can indicate a condition such as laryngitis, where vocal cords become inflamed.
Staying hydrated is crucial for preventing a raspy voice, as it keeps the vocal cords lubricated.
Certain allergies or irritants in the air can also cause a temporary raspy voice from throat irritation.

Pop Culture

Famous musicians like Rod Stewart and Janis Joplin are known for their distinctive raspy voices, which contributed to their unique sound.
In film, characters with raspy voices often portray rough or tough personalities, enhancing their dramatic effect.
Voice actors may intentionally adopt a raspy tone for specific characters, making them more memorable in animation.

Linguistics

In phonetics, a raspy quality can be described as 'voiced creaky' sounds, contributing to how we perceive a person's emotional state.
Certain accents may have a naturally raspy tone, influenced by regional dialects and speech patterns.
The use of a raspy voice can convey emotion, often suggesting fatigue, frustration, or a deep intensity in conversations.

Translations

Translations of the word "raspy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 rouco

🇮🇳 कर्कश

🇩🇪 heiser

🇮🇩 serak

🇺🇦 хриплий

🇵🇱 chrypliwy

🇯🇵 かすれた

🇫🇷 rauque

🇪🇸 ronco

🇹🇷 boğuk

🇰🇷 쉰

🇸🇦 أجش

🇨🇿 chraplavý

🇸🇰 chrapľavý

🇨🇳 嘶哑的

🇸🇮 hripav

🇮🇸 hás

🇰🇿 қырылдаған

🇬🇪 ხრინწიანი

🇦🇿 xırıltılı

🇲🇽 ronco

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,619, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
29616 striation
29617 stagnating
29618 ingratiating
29619 raspy
29620 downplayed
29621 paunch
29622 chary
...