rasp

1 of 2

verb

ˈrasp 

rasped; rasping; rasps

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

rasper noun

raspingly

ˈra-spiŋ-lē 

adverb

rasp

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms

Verb

• rub
• file
• sand
• grind
• polish
• sharpen

Noun

• scratch
• scrape
• creak

Examples of rasp in a Sentence

Verb

“Let go of my arm,” she rasped.

The metal boxes rasped as they were dragged across the floor.

Noun

the rusted lock opened with a rasp

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Argentina legend stepped up and rasped the ball into the top corner. —Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

While Mullan’s natural voice shares Shankly’s rasping quality, their inflexions are different. —Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025

Noun

The soulful rasp of his voice bellowed through the open-roof into the Nashville night. —Bryan West, The Tennessean, 30 May 2025

Wallen has abandoned the panting rasp of his mid-twenties, and now performs with force and depth. —Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1512, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rasp

• asp
• clasp
• gasp
• grasp

Kids Definition

rasp

1 of 2 verb

ˈrasp 

1

: to rub with or as if with a rough file

rasp off a rough edge

2

: irritate sense 1

3

: to speak or say in an irritated tone

4

: to make a harsh grating sound

rasp

2 of 2 noun

1

: a coarse file with cutting points instead of lines

2

: a rasping sound or sensation