husky

[ huhs-kee ]

/ ˈhʌs ki /

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adjective, husk·i·er, husk·i·est.

big and strong; burly.

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

like, covered with, or full of husks.

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

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

noun, plural husk·ies.

a size of garments meant for the larger or heavier than average boy.

Informal. a big, strong person.

OTHER WORDS FOR husky

1 robust, brawny, strapping.

2 harsh, gruff, rasping, throaty.

See synonyms for husky on Thesaurus.com

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of husky

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 FROM husky

husk·i·ly, adverbhusk·i·ness, noun

Other definitions for husky (2 of 2)

husky²

[ huhs-kee ]

/ ˈhʌs ki /

noun, plural husk·ies.

Eskimo dog.

Siberian husky.

Husky, Canadian Slang.

an Inuit.
the language of the Inuit.

Origin of husky

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. 2023

How to use husky in a sentence

Since the launch of Laika, the part-husky space pioneer to orbit the Earth in 1957, scientists have known that space travel takes a toll on the human body.
Breakthrough NASA Study Discovers Surprising Key to Astronauts’ Health in Space|Shelly Fan|December 2, 2020|Singularity Hub
By choosing 0, 1 or 2 huskies in generation 0, you can produce individuals that are 0%, 50% or 100% husky.
How to Design (or at Least Model) Mixed Dog Breeds|Pradeep Mutalik|July 31, 2020|Quanta Magazine
Since Dax is male, the previously described family tree would not give the required 56% huskyness but rather 57% if his mother is a husky or 55% if his father is a husky.
How to Design (or at Least Model) Mixed Dog Breeds|Pradeep Mutalik|July 31, 2020|Quanta Magazine
This means that a male dog like Dax would have about 1% more huskyness than we previously calculated if his mother was a husky and 1% less huskyness if his father was a husky.
How to Design (or at Least Model) Mixed Dog Breeds|Pradeep Mutalik|July 31, 2020|Quanta Magazine

So in the 6th generation, Dax can reach 56% huskyness if his mother is a husky.
How to Design (or at Least Model) Mixed Dog Breeds|Pradeep Mutalik|July 31, 2020|Quanta Magazine
He looked very thin, was huskily bearded, and in a slim blue suit.
Dan Stevens Blows Up ‘Downton’: From Chubby-Cheeked Aristo to Lean, Mean American Psycho|Tim Teeman|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"I did n't fly off the handle," said the screw, twirling huskily at the end of the screw-shaft.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
“Yes, yes,” cried Ella huskily; and she took a formal-looking letter, that had evidently been hurriedly torn open.
By Birth a Lady|George Manville Fenn
“Yes, yes; I must go,” said Ella huskily; and raising her hands to her face, she would have left the room.
By Birth a Lady|George Manville Fenn
"Because business made it necessary," replied the American huskily, yet in a lower voice.
Uncle Sam's Boys as Lieutenants|H. Irving Hancock
"That's the best bit of news I have had in my life," he said huskily.
The Daffodil Mystery|Edgar Wallace

British Dictionary definitions for husky (1 of 2)

husky¹

/ (ˈhʌskɪ) /

adjective huskier or huskiest

(of a voice, an utterance, etc) slightly hoarse or rasping

of, like, or containing husks

informal big, strong, and well-built

Derived forms of husky

huskily, adverbhuskiness, noun

Word Origin for husky

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

British Dictionary definitions for husky (2 of 2)

husky²

/ (ˈhʌskɪ) /

noun plural huskies

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

Canadian slang

a member of the Inuit people
the Inuit language

Word Origin for husky

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

husky

OTHER WORDS FOR husky

Origin of husky

OTHER WORDS FROM husky

Other definitions for husky (2 of 2)

Origin of husky

Words related to husky

How to use husky in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for husky (1 of 2)

Derived forms of husky

Word Origin for husky

British Dictionary definitions for husky (2 of 2)

Word Origin for husky