hoarse

1 of 2

adjective

ˈhȯrs How to pronounce hoarse (audio)
hoarser; hoarsest
Synonyms of hoarse
1
: rough or harsh in sound : grating
a hoarse voice
2
: having a hoarse voice
shouted himself hoarse
hoarsely adverb
hoarseness noun

hoarseness

2 of 2

noun

hoarse·​ness
-snə̇s
plural -es
: the quality or state of being hoarse

Synonyms of hoarse

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Adjective

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Examples of hoarse in a Sentence

Adjective She could only speak in a hoarse whisper. The cold made me a little hoarse.
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.
Adjective
Tears have been shed, throats have been screamed hoarse. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026 Others walked home sunburned, hoarse and still dressed in blue and orange. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026 His usually peppy voice is hoarse. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026 James’ reasoning had nothing to do with having a hoarse voice at the end of practice. — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hoarse

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English hos, hors, probably from Old Norse *hārs, hāss; akin to Old English hās hoarse, Old High German heis

Noun

alteration (influenced by hoarse) of Middle English hosnes, from Old English hāsnys, from hās hoarse + -nys, -nes -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hoarse was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing hoarse

Rhymes for hoarse

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Browse Nearby Words

hoariness
hoarse
hoarsely
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hoarse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hoarse. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hoarse

adjective
ˈhō(ə)rs How to pronounce hoarse (audio)
ˈhȯ(ə)rs
hoarser; hoarsest
1
: harsh in sound
2
: having a rough voice
a cold made me hoarse
hoarsely adverb
hoarseness noun

Medical Definition

hoarse

adjective
ˈhō(ə)rs, ˈhȯ(ə)rs How to pronounce hoarse (audio)
hoarser; hoarsest
1
: rough or harsh in sound
a hoarse voice
2
: having a hoarse voice
was hoarse from shouting
hoarsely adverb
hoarseness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on hoarse

Nglish: Translation of hoarse for Spanish Speakers

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