rasp

1 of 2

verb

ˈrasp 

rasped; rasping; rasps

transitive verb

1

: to rub with something rough

specifically : to abrade with a rasp

2

: to grate upon : irritate

3

: to utter in a raspy tone

intransitive verb

1

: scrape

2

: to produce a grating sound

rasper noun

raspingly

ˈra-spiŋ-lē 

adverb

rasp

2 of 2

noun

1

: a coarse file with cutting points instead of lines

2

: something used for rasping

3

a

: an act of rasping

b

: a rasping sound, sensation, or effect

Synonyms

Verb

• buff
• file
• grind
• hone
• rub
• sand

Noun

• creak
• grind
• jar
• scrape
• scratch

Examples of rasp in a Sentence

Verb

“Let go of my arm,” she rasped.

The metal boxes rasped as they were dragged across the floor.

Noun

the rusted lock opened with a rasp

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

And then Elisabeth uses it, and her spine splits open, leaving her a rasping husk of flesh while an alternate self rises, in the dewy buff, to survey her taut flesh with a clinical eye in the mirror. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2024

What endures is the rasping byplay, the soaring exasperation, the tango of opposing temperaments finding fleeting common ground. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024

Noun

And despite his Pittsburgh roots and Florida home, Monaco’s low rasp and vocal patterns wouldn’t be out of place on a Sopranos bit-character. —Brendan Menapace, SPIN, 1 Oct. 2024

At the heart of the group’s new identity is the interplay between Shinoda, who sounds revitalized as both quick-twitch rapper and heartfelt crooner, and Armstrong, whose formidable rasp can both wallop and deeply affect rock listeners. —Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French *rasper, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German raspōn to scrape together

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1512, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rasp

1 of 2 verb

ˈrasp 

1

: to rub with or as if with a rough file

rasp off a rough edge

2

: irritate sense 1

3

: to speak or say in an irritated tone

4

: to make a harsh grating sound

rasp

2 of 2 noun

1

: a coarse file with cutting points instead of lines

2

: a rasping sound or sensation