adjective
-
(of a place, esp a marsh) abounding in reeds
-
of or like a reed
-
having a tone like a reed instrument; shrill or piping
a reedy voice
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of reedy
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at reed, -y 1
Explanation
Use the adjective reedy to describe someone who's tall and thin, or a sound that's high-pitched. The reedy singer in your middle school choir might have a reedy voice. Reedy people are lanky and tall, with long, slender legs that resemble reeds, the broad-leafed grasses that grow in marshy areas. Reedy sounds, on the other hand, seem to be made from a reed (or woodwind) instrument, like a clarinet. So your reedy singing voice is high and thin, rather than bold and deep like your father's baritone.
Vocabulary lists containing reedy
Home of the Brave
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d" by Walt Whitman
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Slaughterhouse-Five
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
Lopez handed one to Juan Ballena, who immediately used it — a shrill, reedy blast soon answered by others.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 9, 2025
Looking up, we discover that these are the naked trunks of trees, their reedy, leafless tops scraping against a gray sky.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025
It is a little strange to see the presumptive mayor of New York City break bread with comedians like Mullen and Halkias in the reedy territory in which they operate.
From Slate ● Jun. 26, 2025
The Times' Kevin Maher went further, suggesting Chalamet's "thin and reedy" singing voice ultimately "lets him down".
From BBC ● Dec. 5, 2023
His throat had begun to bother him; his voice had gone hoarse and reedy.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
The pink Tux speaks in a resonant bass voice; Fanny, who’s purple, speaks in higher, reedier tones; and both of them speak Russian throughout.
From The New Yorker ● May 28, 2019
Shannon's Elvis voice isn't the burbling baritone of countless lounge-act Elvis impersonators but rather something reedier and softer, with a shy charm and sly confidence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 30, 2016
It’s disorienting to hear C-3PO’s voice, which is higher and reedier than Daniels’ own, emerging from the lips of this gentle white-haired man in jeans and a checked shirt.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 3, 2015
Bush's voice was reedier than usual, his introductory praise of Reagan awkwardly effusive, his applause during Reagan's speech a shade overeager.
From Time Magazine Archive
Nasal voice, reedier than might be expected from his strong frame.
From Mrs. Warren's Profession by Shaw, Bernard
The Little Loch was the rushiest and reediest little rascal that ever rustled, and he was on the very edge of the Moor.
From Recreations of Christopher North, Volume I (of 2) by Wilson, John Lyde
In the reediest of voices Laura was forced to confess that she had never learnt Latin at all.
From The Getting of Wisdom by Richardson, Henry Handel
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.
