hoarse

[hawrs, hohrs]

adjective

hoarser, hoarsest 

1. having a vocal tone characterized by weakness of intensity and excessive breathiness; husky.

   the hoarse voice of the auctioneer.

   Synonyms: rough, throaty, grating, harsh

2. having a raucous voice.

3. making a harsh, low sound.

hoarse

/ hɔːs /

adjective

1. gratingly harsh or raucous in tone

2. low, harsh, and lacking in intensity

   a hoarse whisper

3. having a husky voice, as through illness, shouting, etc

Other Word Forms

• hoarsely adverb
• hoarseness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoarse¹

1350–1400; Middle English hors < Old Norse *hārs (assumed variant of hāss ); replacing Middle English hoos, Old English hās, cognate with Old High German heis, Old Saxon hēs

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoarse¹

C14: of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse hās, Old Saxon hēs

Example Sentences

Lord Fredrick was in the midst of vigorously scolding some unfortunate person; his voice was hoarse and froggy, and now and then he made an odd, sneezy, barky sort of sound.

Read more on Literature

Data screamed till his voice was hoarse alongside his fellow Goonies, and in “Head of the Class,” Jonathan Kwong revealed his hormonal humanity beyond academic prowess.

Read more on Salon

But those hoarse Newcastle United fans standing in the away end did not want to go home after watching the visitors defeat Union Saint-Gilloise 4-0 in Brussels.

Read more on BBC

According to some reports, there may be tell-tale symptoms with the latest ones - a hoarse voice or a "razor blade" sore throat.

Read more on BBC

A Labour source said: "I've heard of a stalking horse, but this guy is going to get hoarse from his endless stalking."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• discordant 
• gravelly 
• gruff 
• harsh 
• raucous 
• throaty