reedy

[ ree-dee ]

adjective

, reed·i·er, reed·i·est.

1. full of reeds:

   a reedy marsh.

2. consisting or made of a reed ree reed or reeds:

   a reedy pipe.

3. like a reed ree reed or reeds:

   reedy grass.

4. having a sound like that of a reed instrument.

reedy

/ ˈriːdɪ /

adjective

1. (of a place, esp a marsh) abounding in reeds
2. of or like a reed
3. having a tone like a reed instrument; shrill or piping

   a reedy voice

Derived Forms

• ˈreedily, adverb
• ˈreediness, noun

Other Words From

• reedi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reedy¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; reed, -y ¹

Example Sentences

She plowed right past it, sounding exactly alike in both: slightly reedy, husky yet clarion, unaffected but full of comment and character.

From New York Times

We even enjoy the later numbers in which Zegler, launched into fame as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story,” downshifts her Broadway pipes into a reedy, expressive Dolly Parton twang.

From New York Times

The winds were almost wild in a grinding, grim account of the introduction to “Siegfried” on Saturday, and gawkily reedy — at once sinister and whimsical — as Hagen and Gutrune plotted in “Götterdämmerung” on Monday.

From New York Times

The state has bused thousands of migrants to East Coast cities like New York and lined the reedy banks of the Rio Grande with concertina wire.

From New York Times

It was in his voice, a reedy, quavering high tenor that could sound like he was pondering every line he sang.

From New York Times

Related Words

• delicate
• fragile
• gaunt
• lean
• meager
• narrow
• skinny
• slim
• small