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Reedy: meaning, definitions and examples

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reedy

 

[ ˈriːdi ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

appearance, texture

Reedy describes something that is thin, slender, or tall, like the stalks of reeds. It can also imply a lack of fullness or robustness in a physical presence or sound.

Synonyms

slender, spindly, thin, twiggy

Examples of usage

  • The reedy figure stood out against the landscape.
  • He has a reedy voice that carries well in large rooms.
  • The reedy plants swayed gently in the wind.
  • Her reedy laughter echoed through the hall.
Context #2 | Noun

sound, quality

As a noun, reedy refers to a quality of sound that resembles the high-pitched, thin, and somewhat shrill tone of a reed instrument. It often conveys a sense of fragility or delicacy.

Synonyms

high-pitched, shrill, thin, weak

Examples of usage

  • The music had a reedy quality that I found enchanting.
  • Her voice took on a reedy timbre when she spoke softly.
  • He played the piece with a reedy sound that gave it a unique character.

Translations

Translations of the word "reedy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sedento

🇮🇳 प्यासा

🇩🇪 dürstig

🇮🇩 haus

🇺🇦 спраглий

🇵🇱 spragniony

🇯🇵 渇望した

🇫🇷 assoiffé

🇪🇸 sediento

🇹🇷 susuz

🇰🇷 목마른

🇸🇦 عطش

🇨🇿 žíznivý

🇸🇰 smädný

🇨🇳 口渴的

🇸🇮 žejen

🇮🇸 þyrstur

🇰🇿 шөлдеген

🇬🇪 წყურვილი

🇦🇿 susuz

🇲🇽 sediento

Word origin

The word 'reedy' comes from the Old English 'rēadig', which means 'resembling reeds', deriving from 'rēeda', 'reeds'. Reeds are tall, slender, grass-like plants that grow in wetlands and marshes, known for their characteristic slender and hollow stems. The association between the word and its botanical roots has persisted in the English language, suggesting delicacy or thinness both in appearance and sound. The use of 'reedy' to describe sounds likely emerged in the context of musical instruments, which often incorporate reeds to produce sound. Over time, the term evolved to encompass broader meanings, extending to both physical attributes and acoustic qualities.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,331 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.