Hoarse describes a rough, scratchy, strained voice that sounds gravelly or harsh instead of clear and smooth. When you're hoarse, your voice might sound like a whisper mixed with a croak, or like you're talking through sandpaper.

You might wake up hoarse after cheering too loudly at a basketball game the night before, or after singing enthusiastically at a concert. A bad cold can make you hoarse when it irritates your throat and vocal cords. Teachers sometimes become hoarse from talking all day, especially if they've had to speak loudly in a noisy classroom.

The hoarseness comes from swelling or irritation in your vocal cords, the tiny bands in your throat that vibrate to create sound. When they're swollen or strained, they can't vibrate smoothly, so your voice comes out rough and raspy instead of clear.

Someone who's hoarse might sound like they have a frog in their throat. Resting your voice usually helps it recover. If you've ever tried to yell after being hoarse, you know how weak and scratchy your voice sounds, like it just won't cooperate no matter how hard you try.