husky

¹

[ huhs-kee ]

adjective

, husk·i·er, husk·i·est.

1. big and strong; burly.

   Synonyms: strapping, brawny, robust

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

   Synonyms: throaty, rasping, gruff, harsh

3. like, covered with, or full of husks.
4. made in a size meant for the larger or heavier than average boy:

   size 18 husky pants.

5. 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.

husky

²

[ huhs-kee ]

noun

, plural husk·ies.

1. Eskimo dog.
2. Siberian husky.
3. Husky, Canadian Slang.
   1. an Inuit.
   2. the language of the Inuit.

husky

¹

/ ˈhʌskɪ /

noun

1. a breed of Arctic sled dog with a thick dense coat, pricked ears, and a curled tail
2. slang.
   1. a member of the Inuit people
   2. the Inuit language

husky

²

/ ˈhʌskɪ /

adjective

1. (of a voice, an utterance, etc) slightly hoarse or rasping
2. of, like, or containing husks
3. informal.
   big, strong, and well-built

Derived Forms

• ˈhuskiness, noun
• ˈhuskily, adverb

Other Words From

• huski·ly adverb
• huski·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of husky¹

First recorded in 1545–55 husky ¹fordef 3, 1720-25 husky ¹fordef 2, 1860–65 husky ¹fordef 7, and 1890–95 husky ¹fordef 1; husk + -y ¹, -y ²

Origin of husky²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of husky¹

C19: probably based on Eskimo

Origin of husky²

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

Example Sentences

In 2018, an eight-year-old Siberian husky named Loki became the first dog to ascend all 58 peaks.

From Outside Online

The otters’ leak capacity varied from roughly two to seven times greater than that recorded for other mammals including Alaskan huskies, humans, horses, elephant seals, and rats.

From Popular-Science

Depending on the song, or the moment, Springsteen’s voice has the texture of rust on a tailpipe, or moss on the cool underside of a rock, or the husky warmth and mystery of how your dad or grandfather’s whiskers felt when you were little.

From Time

Husky crows awake in the pine trees, and doves under the temple eaves.

From Project Gutenberg

Steel your heart against the seductive charms of these Husky belles!

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

I wonder what our Husky friends thought of this little bombardment!

From Project Gutenberg

Why, you don't doubt your ability to win the affections of a Husky belle, do you?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• muscular
• stocky
• stout
• strapping