Hoarse

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Hoarse

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

adjective

Pronunciation

hawss  /hɔːs/

Definition

(Of a voice or person) having a voice that is rough, raspy, or harsh-sounding — typically caused by a sore throat, overuse of the voice, or inflammation of the larynx (laryngitis); sounding rough and harsh.

Plain meaning

Hoarse describes a voice that has gone rough, croaky, or raspy — the sound of someone with a sore throat, a cold, or who has been shouting too much. A hoarse voice lacks its normal smoothness and sounds strained.

Register

Neutral. Hoarse is standard in everyday, medical, and literary contexts. It is the appropriate adjective for a roughened or raspened voice — whether from illness, emotional strain, or vocal overuse.