gravelly

adjective

grav·​el·​ly ˈgra-v(ə-)lē How to pronounce gravelly (audio)
Synonyms of gravellynext
1
: of, containing, or covered with gravel
2
: having a rough or grating sound
a gravelly voice

Synonyms of gravelly

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Examples of gravelly in a Sentence

his singing voice is a little gravelly, but otherwise he's a fine musician
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This Mediterranean herb likes the heat but not the humidity, so make certain to plant it in full sun in sandy or gravelly soil. — Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 25 June 2026 The road’s hairpin turns and gravelly washes mean slow going; the trip from Marfa to Chinati Hot Springs will likely take around two hours. — Eva Frederick, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2026 Like many other succulents, 'Angelina' stonecrops are drought-tolerant, can grow in sandy or gravelly soil, and thrive in sunny, well-draining conditions. — Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 4 Apr. 2026 After Prine underwent radiation treatment for throat cancer in 1998, his voice dropped an octave and, over time, took on a gravelly quality that matched his elder statesman status. — Matthew Blackwell, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gravelly

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gravelly was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

gravelliness
gravelly
gravel plant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gravelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gravelly. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gravelly

adjective
grav·​el·​ly ˈgrav-(ə-)lē How to pronounce gravelly (audio)
1
: of, containing, or covered with gravel
gravelly soil
2
: having a harsh scratchy sound
a gravelly voice

More from Merriam-Webster on gravelly

Nglish: Translation of gravelly for Spanish Speakers

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