hoarse

UK: /ˈhɔː^rs/ US: /hɔrs/ ,(hôrs, hōrs)

Inflections of 'hoarse' (adj):

hoarser

adj comparative

hoarsest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

hoarse /hɔrs/   adj., hoars•er, hoars•est. 

1. having a weak, rough, or unclear voice:
   My voice was hoarse after lecturing.

hoarse•ly, adv. 
hoarse•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

hoarse  (hôrs, hōrs), adj. hoars•er, hoars•est. 

1. having a vocal tone characterized by weakness of intensity and excessive breathiness;
   husky:
   the hoarse voice of the auctioneer.
2. having a raucous voice.
3. making a harsh, low sound.

• Old Norse *hārs (assumed variant of hāss); replacing Middle English hoos, Old English hās, cognate with Old High German heis, Old Saxon hēs
• Middle English hors 1350–1400

hoarse′ly, adv. 
hoarse′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. harsh, grating; throaty, rough.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hoarse / hɔːs/ adjective

1. gratingly harsh or raucous in tone
2. having a husky voice, as through illness, shouting, etc

Etymology: 14th Century: of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse hās, Old Saxon hēs

ˈhoarsely adverb

ˈhoarseness noun