ˈhō(ə)rs, ˈhȯ(ə)rs, -ōəs, -ȯ(ə)s adjective
( usually -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English hors, alteration (perhaps influenced by harsk harsh) of earlier hos, from Old English hās; akin to Old High German heis hoarse, Old Norse hāss, Old English hāt hot — more at hot
1. : marked by a relatively low harsh or husky often muffled or laboriously forced quality of sound having little or no resonance : not clear or smooth or musical in tone : rough-sounding : raucous , grating , rasping , croaking
the hoarse voice of a person with a cold
the hoarse sound made by a frog
the hoarse cry of a crow
2. : having a hoarse voice or cry : making hoarse sounds
had caught a cold and was quite hoarse
hoarse from too much talking
hoarse with emotion
Synonyms: see loud