a dusky voice

USAGE SUMMARY

"a dusky voice" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a voice that has a deep, muted quality. For example, "She spoke in a dusky voice, her words almost inaudible against the noise of the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The host, a cookbook author with a dusky voice made for radio, runs her own little magazine with a mix of segments on food and travel and science (as in what your taste in snacks says about your personality).

The New York Times - Food

Since arriving in June as an anchor of that venerable morning news program, Ms. Curry has wooed viewers, and in particular her style-besotted fans, with an authoritative presence, a dusky voice and a look that is nervier — and arguably more youthful — than that of her peers.

The New York Times

Three albums into her career -- her new one and her best, "A Creature I Don't Know" (Ribbon Music/Domino), is to be released Sept. 13 -- it's no longer news that Ms. Marling, now 21, sounds startlingly grown up, with a dusky voice and songs that conjure fables and revelations alongside piercing human insights.

The New York Times

One of the few true contraltos singing today, with a dusky voice and profoundly expressive artistry, Ms. Podles is the opposite of the stereotype of a pretty singer; this is not a voice to play in the background at brunch, but one that has the power to move you to the tips of your toes as it rises from inky depths through a husky center to ringing top notes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Though Katarina Dalayman has a dusky soprano voice that can cut through the orchestra, she made an unusually tender Marie.

The New York Times - Arts

The band leader Richard Augustin has put together a homage to Cloué featuring Émeline Michel, a Haitian singer with a dusky, sensual voice.

The New York Times

Emeline Michel, one of Haiti's leading pop singers, has a dusky, sensual voice that floats through the suave groove of the compas and other Haitian styles.

The New York Times

Writing for Now, Kevin Ritchie felt that the project "suggests a much broader range of intriguing possibilities for her dusky voice" than her previous music allowed, further suggesting that her earlier tracks "One" and "Obsession" saw Ferreira "succumbing" to the requests of her record label.

Wikipedia

Her big, dusky voice has cutting power in its top range, if a little weakness in the low register.

The New York Times - Arts

Her big, dusky voice sometimes grew unsteady, but she was riveting, moving, fun and a little demented: in other words, just what opera is supposed to be.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Duesing brings his dusky voice and steady presence to the Narrator.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a dusky voice" to evoke a sense of mystery, warmth, or depth in character descriptions, particularly when describing singers, actors, or narrators.

Common error

Avoid using "dusky voice" to describe qualities unrelated to sound. "Dusky" refers specifically to a muted, deep tone; applying it to visual descriptions or abstract concepts can be confusing.

Linguistic Context

A dusky voice functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun (voice) to convey specific tonal qualities. It indicates a deep, muted, and often rich or sensual quality, as evidenced by examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

A dusky voice is a descriptive phrase used to characterize a voice with deep, muted tones, often associated with warmth, sensuality, or mystery. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and offers numerous examples demonstrating its use in news, arts, and musical contexts. While the phrase is not overly formal, it is best suited for descriptive writing where evocative language enhances the reader's experience. Related phrases include "a deep voice", "a throaty voice", and "a husky voice", offering alternative ways to convey similar qualities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a deep voice

Focuses on the depth and resonance of the voice.

a low voice

Emphasizes the pitch and range of the voice.

a dark voice

Emphasizes the somber and mysterious tone of the voice.

a throaty voice

Highlights the guttural, resonant quality of the voice.

a husky voice

Focuses on the rough, breathy quality of the voice.

a rich voice

Highlights the fullness and complexity of the voice's sound.

a warm voice

Emphasizes the comforting and inviting tone of the voice.

a mellow voice

Highlights the smooth and gentle quality of the voice.

a sonorous voice

Focuses on the full, resonant, and impressive quality of the voice.

a resonant voice

Highlights the voice's ability to vibrate and create a full sound.

FAQs

How can I use "a dusky voice" in a sentence?

You might say, "The singer captivated the audience with "a dusky voice" that filled the concert hall" or "Her "a dusky voice" lent an air of mystery to the audiobook narration".

What kind of voices are similar to "a dusky voice"?

Voices similar to "a dusky voice" include "a deep voice", "a throaty voice", "a husky voice", or "a warm voice", all of which share qualities of depth and richness.

Is it appropriate to use "a dusky voice" in formal writing?

Yes, "a dusky voice" is appropriate for formal writing when describing someone's voice in literature, reports, or reviews. The phrase is commonly used in journalistic and academic contexts.

What does "a dusky voice" imply about the speaker?

"A dusky voice" often implies that the speaker has a mature, sensual, or mysterious quality. It suggests a voice that is not bright or clear, but rather muted and deep.