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DictionarygutturalThroat sound
adjective / noun

guttural

GUT-ur-uhl/ˈɡʌtərəl/

A sound produced in, or seeming to come from, the throat or back of the mouth.

The dog gives a low, guttural growl as I approach.

A large dog giving a low, threatening growl over a bone: a familiar concrete example of a harsh sound made deep in the throat, rather than a wide-mouthed bark.
Etymology
gutturLatinthroat, gullet
+alLatinpertaining to

Guttur names the throat, making guttural literally “pertaining to the throat.” The selected sense applies that bodily location to the deep, harsh quality of a sound.

In context

Off Book It9:44
Do the words sound harsh, guttural, explosive? Or do they sound soft, flowing, and smooth?
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More examples

  • A guttural laugh comes from the back of the room.
  • His voice turns guttural when he imitates a monster.
  • Some languages use gutturals that English speakers find difficult to pronounce.

Forms

guttural · gutturals

gutturally adverb — With a sound from the throat.

Similar words

throaty
Emphasizes a deep, resonant quality, not necessarily harshness.
raspy
Emphasizes a rough, scratchy quality rather than throat production.