raspy voice

USAGE SUMMARY

"raspy voice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a voice that is rough and hoarse, typically due to illness or fatigue. For example, "Her raspy voice grew hoarse as she sang the final note of her song."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Her raspy voice has melody and power.

The New York Times

"Fouls," Carnesecca said in his raspy voice.

The New York Times - Sports

Friedan, she said, "had a raspy voice.

The New Yorker

Mr. Gautier has a raspy voice and unrelenting enthusiasm.

The New York Times

Her raspy voice hasn't changed through the years.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I feel O.K.," said Wright, his raspy voice suggesting otherwise.

The New York Times

she asks in her too familiar raspy voice.

The New Yorker

His sermons are conversational, delivered in a folksy, raspy voice.

The New Yorker

Let his raspy voice psych you up for yours.

The Guardian - Travel

I heard a deep, raspy voice ring out.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"My back always hurts," the bride said in her trademark Janis Joplin-raspy voice.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In creative writing, combine the phrase with verbs like "whispered", "bellowed", or "cracked" to better illustrate how the rasp affects the delivery of speech.

Common error

Avoid using "raspy" if you intend to describe a voice that is merely low and attractive. While "husky" often carries a positive or seductive connotation, "raspy" is more strictly descriptive of roughness and can sometimes imply physical discomfort or damage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raspy voice" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It utilizes the adjective "raspy" to modify the noun "voice", providing sensory information about vocal quality. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used to provide character detail in narratives or to document symptoms in health-related contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "raspy voice" is an essential and highly frequent descriptor in English for characterizing a rough or hoarse vocal quality. Ludwig data reveals that it is used extensively by elite media outlets like The New York Times and The New Yorker to add sensory depth to character profiles and reporting. Beyond creative use, it is also a recognized term in academic and medical contexts to describe vocal strain or illness. Whether you are describing a permanent feature of a person's speech or a temporary change due to a cold, "raspy voice" is the most accurate and widely accepted term. To vary your writing, you might consider synonyms like "husky voice" or "gravelly voice", but for a general description of vocal roughness, "raspy voice" remains the standard choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hoarse voice

More commonly associated with a medical symptom or temporary strain

gravelly voice

Suggests a deeper, rougher texture, often used to describe older or tougher characters

husky voice

Often implies a low-pitched, breathy quality that can be perceived as attractive

croaky voice

Usually suggests a dry, cracking quality, often due to illness or just waking up

gruff voice

Suggests a rough and blunt manner of speaking, often associated with personality

scratchy voice

Emphasizes the irritating or dry feeling of the vocal cords

guttural voice

Focuses on the sound originating deep in the throat rather than just the texture

throaty voice

Indicates a deep sound that resonates in the throat

sandpapery voice

A more metaphorical and intense way to describe extreme roughness

smoky voice

Often used in musical or cinematic contexts to describe a smooth but textured rasp

FAQs

How to use "raspy voice" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's natural tone or a temporary change, such as: "He spoke in a "raspy voice" after cheering for the team all night."

What can I say instead of "raspy voice"?

Depending on the specific texture, you can use "hoarse voice" for illness, "husky voice" for a breathier quality, or "gravelly voice" for a very deep roughness.

Is "raspy voice" formal or informal?

It is a neutral descriptor suitable for all registers, including medical reports in "academia" and descriptive journalism.

What is the difference between a "raspy voice" and a "hoarse voice"?

While often used interchangeably, a "hoarse voice" is specifically defined by a loss of vocal clarity due to strain or inflammation, whereas a "raspy voice" simply describes the rough, scratchy sound regardless of the cause.