reedy

adjective \ ˈrē-dē \

Definition of reedy

reedier; reediest

1 : abounding in or covered with reeds

2 : made of or resembling reeds; especially : slender, frail

3 : having the tone quality of a reed instrument

—

reediness

play \ˈrē-dē-nəs\ noun

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Recent Examples of reedy from the Web

On Saturday the Russian artist sang in the original keys – that is, without evident transpositions – and his bright, reedy tenor sailed sweetly and without strain over Bicket’s chamber orchestra, which was playing at modern pitch.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Triumphant new 'Orphee' presages strong partnership of Lyric Opera, Joffrey Ballet," 24 Sep. 2017
Fronting a four-piece band, Jesse Aycock of Tulsa, Okla., offered a ballad-rich country-folk set featuring his sweet, reedy voice.

— jim fusilli, WSJ, "Undiscovered Acts Show That Pop and Rock Talent Runs Deep," 8 Aug. 2017
Out front, there was a child's play kitchen with a sink full of stagnant, reedy water and a white car whose whole front had been sideswiped and deeply dented.

— rachel kaadzi ghansah, GQ, "A Most American Terrorist: The Making of Dylann Roof," 21 Aug. 2017
Though the material is a mixed bag, Alexander's beautifully reedy, restrained voice sounds great throughout.

— peter margasak, Chicago Reader, "12 O'Clock Track / Music / Post No Bills An overlooked 1972 cut from singular southern soul singer Arthur Alexander," 8 Aug. 2017
They aren't impressed his high, reedy voice is reminiscent of Alan Alda's.

— sarah rense, Esquire, "Watch Conan O'Brien Man-splain His Way Through His Wonder Woman Cold Open," 20 July 2017
Final plans are being ironed out for a trio of Hilton-brand hotels on the upper end of the Buena Vista Lagoon, a reedy freshwater pond at the Oceanside-Carlsbad border that’s been the focus of a long-running restoration debate.

— phil diehl, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Trio of hotels set for Buena Vista Lagoon," 26 June 2017
Her achingly vulnerable songs – sung in a plaintive, slightly reedy voice that Knitel channels – tell a story of love and loss that mirrors King’s own.

— mike fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "For Carole King fans, 'Beautiful' musical makes earth move under their feet," 21 June 2017
There, just before getting a molar pulled, Baudier came across a series of photos of reedy men with fishing rods and nets, lolling in boats and along the banks of lagoons.

— jonathan blitzer, The New Yorker, "“We Are Not Used to People Thinking We Are Beautiful”," 2 June 2017

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

First Known Use of reedy

14th century

REEDY Defined for English Language Learners

reedy

adjective

Definition of reedy for English Language Learners

: full of or covered with reeds
: having a weak, high-pitched sound
: long and thin

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reedy

Definition of reedy

reediness

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reedy

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reedy

Definition of reedy

reediness

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