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

“Oh, this is good,” Autumn says in a raspy, scraping voice that sounds like the squeak of a cheap chair against a floor.

Read more on Literature

“No worry, miss. I watch your babies,” she replied in a raspy voice.

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If the fund industry’s equivalent to a leading man is a growth fund comprised of stocks with large market capitalizations, an active ETF would be a character actor with a raspy voice.

Read more on Barron's

"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.

Read more on BBC

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gravelly 
• gruff 
• hoarse 
• scratchy 
• throaty