What is hoarse?

Hoarse is when your voice sounds rough or scratchy, like it’s been rubbed by sandpaper.

Imagine you're talking to your best friend, but instead of hearing a clear, smooth voice, you hear something more like a raspy or gritty sound. That's being hoarse.

Think about when you shout really loud, maybe at a game or to get someone’s attention across the room. When you do that, it feels like your throat is working extra hard. Your voice box, which is like a little engine in your throat, gets tired and sore. This makes your voice sound hoarse.

It's kind of like when you run really fast, your legs feel tired and shaky. In the same way, your voice can feel rough and scratchy after shouting or talking too much.

Sometimes, being hoarse is just a little annoyance that goes away in a day or two. But sometimes it can last longer if your throat stays busy or gets a bit irritated, like when you have a cough or a cold.