husky

¹

[huhs-kee]

adjective

huskier, huskiest 

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

huskies 

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

huskies 

1. Eskimo dog.

2. Siberian husky.

3. Canadian Slang.,  Husky,

   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

Other Word Forms

• huskiness noun
• huskily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of husky¹

First recorded in 1545–55 husky ¹ for def. 3, 1720-25 husky ¹ for def. 2, 1860–65 husky ¹ for def. 7, and 1890–95 husky ¹ for def. 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

He tends to favor spare instrumentation, drawing the ear to his husky voice and often wrenching lyrics.

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One husky man lifts his redheaded lady high in the air, puts her feet gently back on the floor and gives her a big kiss.

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He was best known for his love of the husky dogs used to pull sledges around the island, and he raised two litters of dogs.

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The beautiful Alaskan and Siberian huskies that animate the dog-sledding instruction at Norway’s Pasvik Folk High School are what help lift this handsomely photographed film above the usual heart warmer.

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With her electric green eyes, corkscrew hair and husky contralto voice, Dame Cleo became the most recognisable British jazz singer in history.

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Related Words

• muscular 
• stocky 
• stout 
• strapping