Definition

Adjective: 1. Unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound: Describes a voice or sound that is rough, scratchy, and unpleasant to hear, often due to hoarseness, strain, or a coarse quality. 2. Irritable, easily annoyed: (Less common, often considered a variant of "rasping" in this sense) Describes a person who is easily irritated or in a bad temper.

Usage

The adjective raspy is primarily used to describe sounds, especially human voices. It implies a dry, rough texture to the sound that can be perceived as strained, tired, or abrasive. It is often used in descriptive writing and speech.

Examples

• After cheering at the concert all night, she woke up with a raspy voice.
• The old record player emitted a raspy sound from the dusty speaker.
• His raspy whisper was barely audible over the noise of the wind.
• (Less common usage): He's been in a raspy mood all morning, snapping at everyone.

Advanced Usage

• Descriptive Combination: Raspy is frequently combined with nouns related to sound or speech (e.g., , , ). It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that harsh or grating, even if not literally a sound (e.g., was noted, though this extends the core meaning).
• Comparative and Superlative: The standard forms are raspier and raspiest.

Variants and Related Words

• Rasp (verb/noun): To make a harsh, grating sound; or the sound itself.
• Rasping (adjective/verb): Very similar in meaning to raspy, often interchangeable when describing sound. The present participle of the verb "to rasp."
• Gravelly (adjective): A close synonym, often used specifically for a deep, rough voice.
• Hoarse (adjective): Specifically describes a rough voice, typically due to illness or overuse. A hoarse voice is often raspy.

Synonyms

• Grating
• Scratchy
• Gravelly
• Hoarse
• Guttural
• Croaky
• Jarring

Antonyms

• Smooth
• Melodious
• Soft
• Silky
• Clear
• Dulcet

Adjective

1. unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound
   • a gravelly voice