husky

1
[ huhs-kee ]
See synonyms for husky on Thesaurus.com
adjective,husk·i·er, husk·i·est.
  1. big and strong; burly.

  2. (of the voice) having a semiwhispered vocal tone; somewhat hoarse, as when speaking with a cold or from grief or passion.

  1. like, covered with, or full of husks.

  2. made in a size meant for the larger or heavier than average boy: size 18 husky pants.

  3. for, pertaining to, or wearing clothing in this size: the husky department; husky boys.

noun,plural husk·ies.
  1. a size of garments meant for the larger or heavier than average boy.

  2. Informal. a big, strong person.

Origin of husky

1
First recorded in 1545–55 for def. 3, 1720-25 for def. 2, 1860–65 for def. 7, and 1890–95 for def. 1; husk + -y1, -y2

Other words for husky

Other words from husky

  • husk·i·ly, adverb
  • husk·i·ness, noun

Words Nearby husky

Other definitions for husky (2 of 2)

husky2
[ huhs-kee ]

noun,plural husk·ies.
  1. Husky, Canadian Slang.

    • an Inuit.

    • the language of the Inuit.

Origin of husky

2
First recorded in 1870–75; shortening of husky dog, husky breed; compare Newfoundland and Labrador dialect Husky “an Inuit from Labrador,” earlier Huskemaw, Uskemaw, ultimately from the same Algonquian source as Eskimo

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use husky in a sentence

  • We bade a hasty farewell to the husky belles, and handed them into their barge.

    Left on Labrador | Charles Asbury Stephens
  • I wonder what our husky friends thought of this little bombardment!

    Left on Labrador | Charles Asbury Stephens
  • Why, you don't doubt your ability to win the affections of a husky belle, do you?

    Left on Labrador | Charles Asbury Stephens

British Dictionary definitions for husky (1 of 2)

husky1

/ (ˈhʌskɪ) /


adjectivehuskier or huskiest
  1. (of a voice, an utterance, etc) slightly hoarse or rasping

  2. of, like, or containing husks

  1. informal big, strong, and well-built

Origin of husky

1
C19: probably from husk, from the toughness of a corn husk

Derived forms of husky

  • huskily, adverb
  • huskiness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for husky (2 of 2)

husky2

/ (ˈhʌskɪ) /


nounplural huskies
  1. a breed of Arctic sled dog with a thick dense coat, pricked ears, and a curled tail

  2. Canadian slang

    • a member of the Inuit people

    • the Inuit language

Origin of husky

2
C19: probably based on Eskimo

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012