Gravelly is a word that describes a rough, raspy sound or texture. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable is pronounced /ˈɡræv/, with a short "a" sound and a "v" consonant. The second syllable is pronounced /li/, with a short "i" sound and no consonant at the end. The double "l" represents a geminate consonant, indicating a longer pronunciation of the "l" sound. Overall, the spelling of gravelly follows standard English phonetic rules.
Gravelly is an adjective used to describe a sound, voice, or terrain that resembles or has qualities similar to gravel. The term often conveys a rough, coarse, or uneven texture or tone.
When referring to a sound or voice, "gravelly" suggests a roughness or huskiness that is reminiscent of the sound produced when gravel is compressed or moved. This characteristic can be present in natural voices or deliberately adopted for artistic or dramatic purposes. A gravelly voice is usually deep and rough, often associated with aging or heavy smoking, and can sometimes be perceived as having a certain rugged charm or authority.
In the context of terrain or land, "gravelly" indicates a soil or surface that contains a significant amount of gravel or small, loose stones. Such terrain can be challenging to traverse due to its uneven nature and the lack of stability it provides. Gravelly land can also affect the biodiversity and vegetation that can grow there, as certain species of plants may thrive in these conditions while others struggle to establish roots.
Overall, whether describing a sound, voice, or terrain, "gravelly" evokes an image of roughness, coarseness, or an uneven texture that is reminiscent of gravel.
Abounding with gravel.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "gravelly" is derived from the noun "gravel", which originated from the Old French word "gravele" (meaning "gravel" or "sand"). The Old French term was derived from the Latin word "grava", which meant "coarse sand" or "pebbles". Thus, "gravelly" came to describe anything that resembles or has the characteristics of gravel, particularly a rough or coarse texture or sound.