gravelly
Americanadjective
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consisting of or abounding in gravel
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of or like gravel
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(esp of a voice) harsh and grating
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of gravelly
First recorded in 1350–1400, gravelly is from the Middle English word gravelli. See gravel, -y 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While my vocal cords spasm apart, his spasm together; while my voice gets soft and whispery, his voice is tight and gravelly.
From Slate • Apr. 18, 2026
Lyrics are delivered in raspy, gravelly voices that sound as authentic as the real thing.
From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026
Chalk streams emerge from springs in porous chalk bedrock, which acts as a filter to remove sediment, characterised by beautifully clear water and a gravelly bottom.
From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026
As distinctive as Armstrong’s rich and gravelly voice was—on such classics as “What a Wonderful World” and “Hello, Dolly!”—it was how broke from a song’s meter that became another influential hallmark of his style.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026
The gravelly voice was in Wash’s ear, and when he looked back he saw more men.
From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
