hoarseness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hoarseness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a condition where someone's voice is rough or strained, often due to illness or overuse of the voice. Example: "After singing for hours, she experienced hoarseness and struggled to speak clearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Medical descriptions of symptoms

Descriptions of vocal qualities

Discussions of health conditions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Some were outraged by his "hoarseness" during a recent radio interview that followed a night of socialising with party colleagues.

The Economist

Unfortunately, 8 to 10 months may elapse before the first symptoms of hoarseness appear and a diagnosis is made.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Croup, acute respiratory illness of young children characterized by a harsh cough, hoarseness, and difficult breathing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Manifestations of dysarthria may include restricted movement of the lip, tongue, and jaw; slurred speech; slow speech; rapid mumbled speech; soft or inaudible speech; breathiness; hoarseness; and drooling and difficulty swallowing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the latter, pepsin and acid travel all the way up to the larynx, where they can cause damage to the laryngeal mucosa and produce symptoms ranging from hoarseness and chronic cough to laryngospasm (involuntary contraction of the vocal cords) and laryngeal cancer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is a form of hoarseness," Professor Birchall said.

Independent

Peter Hammill: Over (Charisma, 1977) You want suffering, depression, agony, recrimination, darkness, harshness, hoarseness and Catholic guilt?

Independent

The result is breathiness, rasps, rattling, hoarseness, and other sound impurities, called perturbation.

The New Yorker

Earlier, he had told me about the array of psychological voice ailments, ranging from self-induced hoarseness and laryngitis to "puberphonia," a condition in which grown men speak at an artificially high pitch; the syndrome is sometimes psychological, brought on by fear of the voice changes of adolescence.

The New Yorker

It is a voice with a slight hoarseness and a pronounced foreign accent.

The New Yorker

You could hear the hoarseness in Patton's voice — the growling authority of it — and the stutter and snap of the strings.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing "hoarseness" as a symptom, provide context about its duration and any accompanying symptoms for a clearer medical picture.

Common error

Avoid using "hoarseness" interchangeably with terms like losing your voice completely (aphonia) or having a very weak voice (asthenia). "Hoarseness" specifically refers to a rough or raspy vocal quality.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hoarseness" is as a noun, referring to the quality of having a rough or harsh voice. Ludwig AI confirms its use in describing vocal conditions and symptoms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Hoarseness" is a common noun used to describe a rough or strained vocal quality. Ludwig AI validates that the term is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, especially in news, media, and encyclopedias. While generally neutral in register, context is crucial for precise communication; be mindful of alternative phrases such as "raspy voice" or "strained voice" for nuanced descriptions. If "hoarseness" persists, it's advisable to seek medical advice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rough voice

Focuses on the quality of the voice being rough, which is a key characteristic of hoarseness.

strained voice

Highlights the effort or strain in the voice, a common cause of hoarseness.

raspy voice

Emphasizes the grating or rough sound of the voice.

throaty voice

Suggests a voice originating deep in the throat, often associated with hoarseness.

gravelly voice

Describes a voice with a rough, gravel-like quality.

husky voice

Indicates a low and slightly hoarse voice.

vocal roughness

A more formal way to describe the quality of a rough voice.

laryngitis

The medical term for inflammation of the larynx, often resulting in hoarseness.

vocal strain

Highlights the physical aspect of straining the vocal cords.

voice impairment

A broader term indicating a problem with the voice, which could include hoarseness.

FAQs

What causes "hoarseness"?

"Hoarseness" can be caused by several factors, including overuse of the voice, viral infections, acid reflux, smoking, or vocal cord nodules. Persistent "hoarseness" should be evaluated by a medical professional.

When should I see a doctor for "hoarseness"?

Consult a doctor if your "hoarseness" lasts longer than two weeks, is accompanied by pain, difficulty swallowing, coughing up blood, or a lump in the neck. These symptoms may indicate a more serious underlying condition.

What can I do to relieve "hoarseness"?

To relieve "hoarseness", rest your voice, drink plenty of fluids, avoid irritants like smoke and alcohol, and consider using a humidifier. A low-acid diet may also help if acid reflux is a contributing factor.

What are some alternative ways to describe a "hoarse" voice?

Instead of "hoarseness", you can use phrases like "raspy voice", "rough voice", or "strained voice" depending on the specific quality you want to convey.