gravelly
/ˈɡrævəli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡrævəli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgra-v(ə-)lē/ (ame, mw)
gravelly — adjective
- gravellypositive
- more gravellycomparative
- most gravellysuperlative
1. describes a voice, most often a man's, that sounds deep, slightly hoarse, and a
describes a voice, most often a man's, that sounds deep, slightly hoarse, and a little harsh — as if the speaker is talking through a sore throat or after years of smoking
Felipe answered the phone in a gravelly voice that suggested he had just woken up.
predicative use after a state verb: in a gravelly voice
The old radio host was famous for his gravelly tone and warm laugh.
attributive: gravelly + tone/voice
Years of cigarettes had left Ritu's grandfather with a gravelly whisper.
Wei sang the blues with a gravelly voice that filled the small bar.
When Baraka shouted from the back of the truck, his gravelly call carried across the field.
用法筆記
Almost always paired with voice-related nouns (voice, tone, whisper, laugh, growl). Often carries a positive or characterful association — gravelly voices are commonly admired in singers and storytellers — rather than purely negative.
常見錯誤
2. covered with, made up of, or full of small loose stones — typically used of path
covered with, made up of, or full of small loose stones — typically used of paths, beaches, soil, or roads
Élise hiked along a gravelly path that wound up the hillside behind the village.
collocation: gravelly path
The truck rattled loudly as it crossed the gravelly road outside the farm.
collocation: gravelly road
Noor's tomatoes grew slowly in the thin, gravelly soil of the back garden.
The children spent the afternoon throwing stones into the sea from the gravelly beach.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense describes physical surfaces and only attaches to terrain nouns (path, road, soil, beach, shore). It is never used of voices or sounds.