Huskily

Huskily describes a vocal quality that is rough, scratchy, or gravelly, often suggesting dryness or a strain in the voice. It can imply a depth of emotion, often linked to fatigue, illness, a specific vocal inflection, or an intentional stylistic choice. The sound may lack the smooth resonance typical of clear speech or singing. The 'huskily' nature can range from a subtle rasp to a breathy whisper, impacting the perceived clarity and intensity of communication. The word often portrays a hint of vulnerability or a sense of worldliness associated with experience. It can affect the emotive response to both oral communication, and music or song.

Huskily meaning with examples

• The detective, exhausted from the long night, spoke huskily, 'I think we've got our man.' His voice carried the weight of sleeplessness and the tension of the case, the rough timbre adding to the overall impact of the statement.
• As the singer launched into the final chorus, her voice, usually crystalline, now sang huskily, a clear indication of the emotion she conveyed, revealing a raw vulnerability that was quite beautiful to the adoring audience.
• After the marathon, the runner replied huskily to the reporters' questions, explaining their triumph, but also their struggle, the texture in their voice showing just how much they'd put into the race.
• He confessed his feelings to her, the words tumbling out huskily as the nervousness made his throat tight. This quality was something that gave the words a more heartfelt, honest meaning to them.
• The old sea captain, recounting his tales, told the stories huskily, a voice rough from the salt air and years of shouting over storms, making the listener lean closer to catch every word.