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 of rasp

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

Stach’s rasping effort, 30 yards from goal, wide left, beat the Belgian at his near post to steal the match for Leeds. — Beren Cross, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Yet Karter is utterly at ease behind the mic, rasping through a wistful melody with an unlit cigarette between her fingers, a black motorcycle jacket slipping off one shoulder. — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 6 July 2026

Noun

The rattle of a bride’s gold earring or the rasp of straightener steam through a bride’s hair takes on a panic-inducingly eerie quality thanks to Marie-Clotilde Chery’s chilling sound design. — Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026

With her retro-soul rasp and ’60s style aesthetic, the English singer-songwriter, 20, has quickly become one of the biggest breakthrough acts of the year. — Jeff Nelson, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026

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