hoarse
[ hawrs, hohrs ]
/ hɔrs, hoʊrs /
adjective, hoars·er, hoars·est.
having a vocal tone characterized by weakness of intensity and excessive breathiness; husky: the hoarse voice of the auctioneer.
having a raucous voice.
making a harsh, low sound.
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Nearby words
hoard, hoarding, hoare, hoarfrost, hoarhound, hoarse, hoarsen, hoary, hoary cress, hoary marmot, hoary-headed
Origin of hoarse
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
Related forms
hoarse·ly, adverbhoarse·ness, nounCan be confused
hoarse horseDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for hoarse
hoarse
/ (hɔːs) /
adjective
gratingly harsh or raucous in tone
low, harsh, and lacking in intensitya hoarse whisper
having a husky voice, as through illness, shouting, etc
Derived Forms
hoarsely, adverbhoarseness, nounWord Origin for hoarse
C14: of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse hās, Old Saxon hēs
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medicine definitions for hoarse
hoarse
[ hôrs ]
adj.
Rough or grating in sound, as of a voice.
Having or characterized by a husky, grating voice.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.