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

Thick-coated breeds and those with double coats like chow chows, Alaskan huskies, and golden retrievers are better at conserving heat in cool temperatures.

From Los Angeles Times

Then again, some dogs are just more inclined to bark than others based on their breed, with Siberian huskies particularly notorious for being whiny.

From Salon

She tried to guard herself with her satchel, but the husky mix pulled it away.

From Los Angeles Times

Crawford will arrive home greeted by his three excitable huskies, always eager and ready to play.

From Seattle Times

For the most recent study, they focused on German short/wirehaired pointer, mastiff, Newfoundland, Rhodesian ridgeback and Siberian husky.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• muscular
• stocky
• stout
• strapping