raspy

[ras-pee, rah-spee]

adjective

raspier, raspiest 

1. harsh; grating; rasping. rasping.

2. easily annoyed; irritable.

Other Word Forms

• raspiness noun
• unraspy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of raspy¹

First recorded in 1830–40; rasp + -y ¹

Example Sentences

"The fire seemed to come out of nowhere," the 45-year-old tells the BBC in a melancholic voice, raspy from years of smoking cigarettes.

From BBC

With her soft cheeks and tearful, raspy baby voice, it’s shocking how much we get attached to her.

From Los Angeles Times

Later that evening an unknown number flashed up on my mobile phone and I heard that same raspy voice.

From BBC

“I Kissed a Girl,” which puts a bouncy folk-pop groove beneath Sobule’s lightly raspy vocal, opens with two friends hanging out one night as they compare notes on their disappointing boyfriends.

From Los Angeles Times

An up-tempo rocker, full of showboating guitar chords and an extremely 1980s cowbell, Hot For You, Baby is a prime example of Turner's raspy, physical style of soul.

From BBC

Related Words

• gravelly 
• gruff 
• hoarse 
• scratchy 
• throaty