Raspy describes a rough, scratchy sound, especially in someone's voice. When you have a bad cold and your throat is sore, your voice might come out raspy instead of smooth and clear. A raspy voice sounds harsh and gravelly, like sandpaper rubbing against wood.

Singers sometimes develop raspy voices after performing for hours, their vocal cords worn out from use. Some people naturally have raspy voices that sound husky and rough around the edges. You might notice your voice gets raspy after cheering loudly at a sporting event or shouting with excitement at a concert.

The word can describe other rough sounds too. An old door might creak open with a raspy squeak, or a crow might make raspy cawing noises. Think of it as the opposite of smooth or melodious: where a flute sounds clear and pure, a raspy sound has texture and roughness to it, like something is interfering with the sound as it travels through the air.