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

• buff
• file
• grind
• hone
• rub
• sand

Noun

• creak
• grind
• jar
• scrape
• scratch

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

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

The reply of my friend and hunting companion was one of those quaint, rasping epithets which only a cowman can manage when everything has gone wrong. —Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025

Noun

Of all of Cyrus’s vocal gifts, perhaps the most pronounced is her rare ability to add a rasp to any line without ever sacrificing volume. —Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 5 June 2025

The Chicks were really big on my radar, and Faith Hill—I was obsessed with her voice, the rasp in it. —As Told To Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 9 June 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