hoarse

1 of 2

adjective

ˈhȯrs 

hoarser; hoarsest

1

: rough or harsh in sound : grating

a hoarse voice

2

: having a hoarse voice

shouted himself hoarse

hoarsely adverb

hoarseness noun

hoarseness

2 of 2

noun

hoarse·​ness

-snə̇s

plural -es

: the quality or state of being hoarse

Synonyms of hoarse

Adjective

• gruff
• husky
• coarse
• rusty
• rasping

Examples of hoarse in a Sentence

Adjective

She could only speak in a hoarse whisper.

The cold made me a little hoarse.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Singers didn’t want their voices to get hoarse over the long night or week. — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Saliva collects at the mouthpiece and distorts the notes, making the blasts sound hoarse and off-pitch. — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Workers also reported hoarse voices, chronic coughs and asthma-like symptoms. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 2026

When 39 days of elite physical punishment concluded with stadium lights dimming across North America, millions of fans limped away from watch parties with hoarse voices and sore feet. — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English hos, hors, probably from Old Norse *hārs, hāss; akin to Old English hās hoarse, Old High German heis

Noun

alteration (influenced by hoarse) of Middle English hosnes, from Old English hāsnys, from hās hoarse + -nys, -nes -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hoarse

• shout oneself hoarse

Rhymes for hoarse

• bourse
• coarse
• course
• force
• gorse
• horse
• norse
• source
• concourse
• divorce
• endorse
• enforce

Kids Definition

hoarse

adjective

ˈhō(ə)rs 

ˈhȯ(ə)rs

hoarser; hoarsest

1

: harsh in sound

2

: having a rough voice

a cold made me hoarse

hoarsely adverb

hoarseness noun

Medical Definition

hoarse

adjective

ˈhō(ə)rs, ˈhȯ(ə)rs 

hoarser; hoarsest

1

: rough or harsh in sound

a hoarse voice

2

: having a hoarse voice

was hoarse from shouting

hoarsely adverb

hoarseness noun