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

On Chris Stapleton’s hit, Iris served rock-star realness, turning her rasp up to 11 and looking as comfortable on stage as a guest artist rather a contestant singing for her life. —Charlie Mason, TVLine, 28 Apr. 2025

While Mullan’s natural voice shares Shankly’s rasping quality, their inflexions are different. —Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025

Noun

The engine rasps and rumbles right up to the tachometer’s 7,000-rpm redline—and beyond, in fact, since peak power arrives at 7,500 rpm. —Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

One great thing about Hackman is that there was no alteration in the rounded rasp of his voice when the moral conditions changed. —Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for rasp

• asp
• clasp
• gasp
• grasp

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