# hoarse

/ˈhɔɹs/ (US) · /hˈɔːs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hoarse
Updated: 2026-10-14

## Definition

sounding rough and low because your throat is sore or tired. You get this way after shouting a lot or when you have a cold.

For teachers: having a rough, harsh or strained voice, typically resulting from irritation, overuse or illness of the throat. Often follows linking verbs such as 'sound', 'become' or 'go'.

## Examples

- My voice sounds hoarse after the long football match.
- She catches a cold and her voice turns hoarse, so she drinks warm tea before teaching.
- After hours of shouting over the storm, the rescue coordinator's instructions grew hoarse but remained clear enough to guide the team.

## Synonyms

Husky, raspy, croaky, Gravelly

## Antonyms

clear, smooth

## Usage notes

- Typically used predicatively after 'sound', 'become' or 'go'; also used attributively before nouns like 'voice' or 'whisper'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.