Word
raspy
US/ˈɹæspi/
UK/ɹˈɑːspi/
Definition
adj. sounding rough and dry, not smooth and clear. You use it for a voice or sound that feels a little harsh, often because of a cold or shouting.
adj. having a rough, harsh, grating quality in sound, especially of the human voice. Often caused by dryness, irritation, illness, or strain.
Examples
“His voice sounds raspy after the long cold.”
“The singer's raspy voice fills the small club and gives the slow songs extra feeling.”
“After years of late shows in smoky bars, the old bluesman kept a raspy edge that made even simple lyrics sound lived-in and true.”
Examples
simple
“His voice sounds raspy after the long cold.”
contextual
“The singer's raspy voice fills the small club and gives the slow songs extra feeling.”
complex
“After years of late shows in smoky bars, the old bluesman kept a raspy edge that made even simple lyrics sound lived-in and true.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “raspy” in context.
Verb
01. become raspy
“My throat became raspy after shouting over the loud music.”
verb + adj
Adjective
02. distinctly raspy
“Her distinctly raspy laugh made her easy to recognize on the radio.”
adv + adj
03. slightly raspy
“His voice sounded slightly raspy after cheering all night at the match.”
adv + adj
Noun
04. raspy breath
“We could hear his raspy breath after he ran up the stairs.”
adj + noun
05. raspy cough
“He had a dry, raspy cough that kept him awake all night.”
adj + noun
06. raspy laugh
“His raspy laugh filled the room and everyone smiled.”
adj + noun
07. raspy voice
“The singer continued with a raspy voice after three concerts in a row.”
adj + noun
08. raspy whisper
“She answered in a raspy whisper because her throat hurt.”
adj + noun
09. have a raspy throat
“I have a raspy throat from shouting at the game.”
10. in a raspy voice
“She thanked the crowd in a raspy voice after the long show.”
11. in a raspy whisper
“He told me the secret in a raspy whisper.”
12. sound a little raspy
“You sound a little raspy; did you catch a cold?”
Real-World Examples
“She was a vocal powerhouse, with a tough, raspy voice that could ride the percussive attack of a rumba or bring hard-won emotion to a lovelorn Cuban son.” Etymology
From rasp + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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