rasp

verb \ ˈrasp \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of rasp

transitive verb

1 : to rub with something rough; specifically : to abrade with a rasp

2 : to grate upon : irritate

3 : to utter in a raspy tone

intransitive verb

1 : scrape

2 : to produce a grating sound

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rasper

noun

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raspingly

play \ˈra-spiŋ-lē\ adverb

See rasp defined for English-language learners

See rasp defined for kids

Examples of rasp in a Sentence

“Let go of my arm,” she rasped.
The metal boxes rasped as they were dragged across the floor.

Recent Examples of rasp from the Web

Best Goal Chelsea tore Brighton apart during the early stages of Saturday's early kick-off but some of the intricate play before Willian's rasping effort was simply wonderful to watch.

— SI.com, "6 of the Best Moments From the Premier League as Exciting Relegation Battle Intensifies," 22 Jan. 2018
Jack Stephens drew a fine save from Lloris in the 68th minute - rasping a right-footed effort towards the far post that was tipped wide by the goalkeeper.

— SI.com, "Tottenham 5-2 Southampton: Kane Bags Another Hat-Trick as Spurs Smash Saints in Boxing Day Bonanza," 26 Dec. 2017
Some patients were breathing only in labored rasps; others lay motionless and silent, seemingly comatose.

— glenn garvin, miamiherald, "From care center to purgatory to hellhole: How 10 frail elders died after Irma," 22 Sep. 2017
The metal edge shaves the skin off her arm with a rasping sound like a meat slicer.

— josephine livingstone, New Republic, "The Return of Jeffrey Eugenides," 4 Oct. 2017
Some patients were breathing only in labored rasps

— glenn garvin, miamiherald, "From care center to purgatory to hellhole: How 10 frail elders died after Irma," 22 Sep. 2017
Ollie Watkins notched a leveller for the Bees in the 56th and Neal Maupay gave the home side the lead with a rasping effort from the edge of the box with 13 minutes to go.

— SI.com, "Championship Roundup: Cardiff Retain Top Spot & Ipswich Win 7-Goal Thriller at the Den," 15 Aug. 2017
Soon the rasping sounds of a saw joined those of falling water, and local settlers carried away splintery but fresh-smelling planks of oak, elm and walnut.

— darryl levings, kansascity, "How KC’s Watts Mill became a mill — and a fiddler’s paradise," 18 July 2017
The noise of desperate, rasping inhalation echoes throughout the evening.

— ben brantley, New York Times, "Review: The Unspeakable Pain of an African-American Afterlife," 11 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rasp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of rasp

Middle English, from Anglo-French *rasper, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German raspōn to scrape together

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

rasp Synonyms

Phrases

get one's goat, get on one's nerves, get to, rub the wrong way, set one's teeth on edge, stick in one's craw, wear on;

rasp

noun

Definition of rasp

1 : a coarse file with cutting points instead of lines

2 : something used for rasping

3 a : an act of rasping

b : a rasping sound, sensation, or effect

See rasp defined for English-language learners

Examples of rasp in a Sentence

the rusted lock opened with a rasp

Recent Examples of rasp from the Web

Arcidiacono spoke Friday with the pre-noon, road-weary rasp of pro athletes everywhere: jet-lagged, dehydrated and homesick.

— marcus hayes, Philly.com, "Jalen Brunson and Ryan Arcidiacono share Villanova DNA | Marcus Hayes," 30 Mar. 2018
Stewart, who died Sunday night at age 75 (according to driver’s license records, he was born Oct. 18, 1942), was already a witty raconteur, and that rasp added an extra touch to his oral storytelling.

— robert philpot, star-telegram, "Perry Stewart, longtime Star-Telegram theater critic, dies at 75 | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 8 Jan. 2018
Johnson has a layered rasp of a voice that echoes several greats, from George Jones to Randy Travis.

— joey guerra, Houston Chronicle, "It's going to be tough to top Cody Johnson's RodeoHouston high," 11 Mar. 2018
Adding to Shea’s throwback vibe is the world-weary rasp in his voice, a product of his blue-collar Queens roots and a thousand late nights in squad rooms.

— chris smith, Daily Intelligencer, "The Controversial Crime-Fighting Program That Changed Big-City Policing Forever," 2 Mar. 2018
Dinner will be served at 7:15pm in the ballroom and will include Bistro Salad, Duet London Broil/Chicken Bianco, Served with Yukon potatoes and medley of vegetables,and Tiramisu/NY Cheesecake w/rasp drizzle.

— stmichaelschool, cleveland.com, "St. Michael School to Hold "Angel Gala" on April 14: Community Voices," 15 Feb. 2018
The guitar-laden production features Moelogo, whose light soulful rasp gives the song a communal feeling fit for a bonfire on the beach.

— megan armstrong, Billboard, "Jonas Blue & Moelogo Say 'We Could Go Back' in New Single," 13 Oct. 2017
That starts, in fact, with their very first scene together, a subtle but well-played moment in which Boseman's Marshall -- who even adopts a Batman-like rasp for the role -- politely but firmly instructs Gad's character to carry his luggage.

— mike scott, NOLA.com, "'Marshall' movie review: A different kind of superhero story," 12 Oct. 2017
Charles Bradley, the journeyman soul singer whose beleaguered rasp and passionate live performances turned him from an itinerant worker and small-time James Brown impersonator into a late-in-life headliner, died on Saturday in Brooklyn.

— joe coscarelli, New York Times, "Charles Bradley, a Late-in-Life Soul Music Star, Dies at 68," 24 Sep. 2017