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

Several animals are in “Lifeform” — the raccoons that plague Slate and her husband, Ben Shattuck, in their Massachusetts home, or Storm the dog, an enigmatic neighborhood husky whose visage emblazons the only piece of novelty clothing Slate owns.

From Los Angeles Times

In one case, inspectors found handwritten notes instructing staff to pour various hot sauces into a Husky’s wound to prevent licking.

From Los Angeles Times

“Hey, what did I tell you,” he said to a husky, hirsute man walking in shirtless.

From Los Angeles Times

And Ivonnenanette Machado, who sits on the same council, told me her daughter got a husky for protection.

From Los Angeles Times

Chiu hangs back with his 7-month-old Husky, Serene, who trotted alongside him during the ride..

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• muscular
• stocky
• stout
• strapping