gravelly

adjective

grav·​el·​ly ˈgra-v(ə-)lē How to pronounce gravelly (audio)
Synonyms of gravellynext
1
: of, containing, or covered with gravel
2
: having a rough or grating sound
a gravelly voice

Synonyms of gravelly

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Examples of gravelly in a Sentence

his singing voice is a little gravelly, but otherwise he's a fine musician
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When listening to McElligott’s radio call, Blue Jackets fans could hear an unspoken homage to Penguins legendary broadcaster Mike Lange, whose gravelly goal calls and distinct, quirky catchphrases thrilled listeners. — Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 One of the album’s most profound moments arrives via director David Cronenberg, who muses on change and permanence in his gravelly tenor. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026 This Mediterranean herb likes the heat but not the humidity, so make certain to plant it in full sun in sandy or gravelly soil. — Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 25 June 2026 His voice, including its gravelly quality and thick Cockney accent, was replicated with his permission through a deal with ElevenLabs, which licenses AI versions of artists’ voices. — Angela Yang, NBC news, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gravelly

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gravelly was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

gravelliness
gravelly
gravel plant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gravelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gravelly. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gravelly

adjective
grav·​el·​ly ˈgrav-(ə-)lē How to pronounce gravelly (audio)
1
: of, containing, or covered with gravel
gravelly soil
2
: having a harsh scratchy sound
a gravelly voice

More from Merriam-Webster on gravelly

Nglish: Translation of gravelly for Spanish Speakers

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