horrible voice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "horrible voice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's voice that is unpleasant or difficult to listen to, often in a subjective context. Example: "Despite her talent, many people commented on her horrible voice during the performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It's rare to find such a hateful review of a game unless it involves horrible voice acting, wonky controls, and terrible graphics… oh, wait.

TechCrunch

Singing usually worked -- I have a horrible voice, but babies don't know that.

Huffington Post

For her, Sugar's scene following it was one of the episode's few highlights, although she described Sugar as having "a horrible voice".

Wikipedia

We have to muffle and marginalize his bullying and horrible voice, calling us to chant, robot-like, whatever words and ideas he plants in our mouths, bidding us to give him ever more power.

Huffington Post

Even if you LOVE to sing but you have a horrible voice, just do it.

WikiHow

Even if you have a horrible voice, turn on some music, or do karaoke, and sing your little heart out.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But in Chennai, the horrible voices people reported seemed more focused on sex.

The New York Times

Birds with striking plumage usually have horrible voices and it is the dull brown birds that sing beautifully – contrast the magpie with the wren.

The Guardian - Music

"I learned this because I learned that I was subhuman during a debate where only the most horrible voices and ideas were amplified by the media.

The Guardian

Servante tells me that during bad patches, he suffers from insomnia and often awakens to suicidal thoughts: "Your mind races with these horrible voices telling you that life's not worth living – that you have no friends, no talents, no worth.

The Guardian

This is the same Orwell who wrote in his wartime diary, "The first sign that things are really happening in England will be the disappearance of that horrible plummy voice from the radio," and the same Orwell who, dying of tuberculosis in a country nursing home, wrote in his notebook in 1949 about the sound of upper-class English voices: "And what voices!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a voice as "horrible", consider adding specific details about why it's unpleasant (e.g., pitch, tone, quality) to make your description more vivid and informative.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "horrible". Pair it with objective descriptions of the voice's qualities (e.g., too high, gravelly, nasal) to avoid sounding overly biased or vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "horrible voice" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "horrible" is an adjective modifying the noun "voice". Ludwig confirms that this is a standard and acceptable way to describe an unpleasant vocal quality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "horrible voice" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe a voice that is extremely unpleasant. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is most commonly found in News & Media and Wiki sources. While effective, be mindful of the term's strong negative connotation. Consider adding descriptive details or using alternative phrases like "awful voice" or "dreadful voice" to convey your meaning more precisely or avoid being overly critical. Always consider the context and your audience when using such subjective language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dreadful voice

Replaces "horrible" with a synonym indicating extreme unpleasantness.

awful voice

Uses a more common synonym for "horrible", suggesting something very bad.

terrible voice

Emphasizes the poor quality of the voice.

atrocious voice

Indicates an extremely bad or unpleasant voice.

unpleasant voice

Focuses on the displeasing quality of the voice.

grating voice

Describes a voice that is harsh and irritating to listen to.

raspy voice

Highlights the rough and hoarse texture of the voice.

shrill voice

Describes a high-pitched and piercing voice.

nails-on-a-chalkboard voice

Uses a simile to convey the extremely unpleasant quality of the voice.

cacophonous voice

Indicates a discordant and harsh-sounding voice.

FAQs

What does "horrible voice" mean?

A "horrible voice" describes a voice that is extremely unpleasant or unappealing to listen to. The term is subjective and depends on personal preference.

What are some synonyms for "horrible voice"?

Alternatives include "awful voice", "terrible voice", or "dreadful voice", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe someone's voice as "horrible"?

While the phrase is grammatically correct, calling someone's voice "horrible" can be perceived as rude or offensive. Consider the context and audience before using such a strong term.

How can I describe a voice without saying it's a "horrible voice"?

You could describe specific qualities of the voice, such as its pitch (e.g., "shrill voice"), tone (e.g., "raspy voice"), or quality (e.g., "nasal voice"), to convey your impression more objectively.