hoarse

[ hawrs, hohrs ]

adjective

, hoars·er, hoars·est.

1. having a vocal tone characterized by weakness of intensity and excessive breathiness; husky:

   the hoarse voice of the auctioneer.

   Synonyms: rough, throaty, grating, harsh

2. having a raucous voice.
3. making a harsh, low sound.

hoarse

/ hɔːs /

adjective

1. gratingly harsh or raucous in tone
2. low, harsh, and lacking in intensity

   a hoarse whisper

3. having a husky voice, as through illness, shouting, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈhoarseness, noun
• ˈhoarsely, adverb

Other Words From

• hoarsely adverb
• hoarseness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoarse¹

1350–1400; Middle English hors < Old Norse *hārs (assumed variant of hāss ); replacing Middle English hoos, Old English hās, cognate with Old High German heis, Old Saxon hēs

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoarse¹

C14: of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse hās, Old Saxon hēs

Example Sentences

Roberts shouted, his hoarse voice booming through the stadium speakers after the Dodgers’ pennant-clinching win over the New York Mets in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series.

From Los Angeles Times

For years, politicians and pundits have yelled themselves hoarse to warn against normalizing Trump’s behavior.

From Los Angeles Times

For years, various politicians and pundits have yelled themselves hoarse over the danger of normalizing Trump’s chicanery, casual mendacity, outrageous divisiveness and outright criminal behavior.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s good!” he insists, augmenting a mild trickle of amusement with his own hoarse guffaw.

From Salon

He sounded hoarse and came out stiff, and the performance heightened concerns for many about his age.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• discordant
• gravelly
• gruff
• harsh
• raucous
• throaty