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Definition of hoarse

hoarse

/hɔːrs/
hoarse
Adverb:hoarsely
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hoarse Lexical Profile

hoarse Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

(of a person's voice or vocal sound) Sounding rough, husky, and harsh, typically as a result of a sore throat or shouting.

Example

"Her voice was barely a hoarse whisper after cheering at the championship game all evening."

2

(of a person) Having a rough, strained, or raspy voice.

Example

"The lecturer grew hoarse toward the end of the three-hour seminar and paused for a glass of water."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for hoarse
Antonyms
View all antonyms for hoarse

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'hoarse' (describing a rough, raspy voice) with its homophone 'horse' (the four-legged equine mammal).

• Rhymes for hoarse

• Nearby Words

hoarder
hoarding
hoarfrost
hoarse
hoarsely
hoarseness
hoatzin

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'has', meaning rough or husky in voice, derived from Proto-Germanic '*haisaz' and related to German 'heiser'. The unetymological 'r' appeared in the 15th century, likely through analogy with words like 'coarse'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hoarse. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hoarse
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