husky

1 of 5

adjective (1)

hus·​ky ˈhə-skē 

huskier; huskiest

: hoarse with or as if with emotion

huskily

ˈhə-skə-lē 

adverb

huskiness

ˈhə-skē-nəs 

noun

husky

2 of 5

noun (1)

hus·​ky ˈhə-skē 

plural huskies

1

: siberian husky

2

: a heavy-coated working dog of the New World arctic region

husky

3 of 5

adjective (2)

hus·​ky ˈhə-skē 

huskier; huskiest

1

: burly, robust

2

: large

husky

4 of 5

noun (2)

hus·​ky ˈhə-skē 

plural huskies

: one that is husky

husky

5 of 5

adjective (3)

ˈhə-skē 

huskier; huskiest

: resembling, containing, or full of husks

Synonyms

Adjective (1)

• coarse
• croaking
• croaky
• grating
• gravel
• gravelly
• gruff
• hoarse
• rasping
• raspy
• rusty
• scratchy
• throaty

Adjective (2)

• beefy
• brawny
• burly
• hefty
• hulking
• mesomorphic

Examples of husky in a Sentence

Adjective (1)

a voice that was husky from an afternoon of cheering on the team

Adjective (2)

a husky weight lifter

the neighbors bought a fairly husky lawn mower for their small yard

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Maitlis confirm her and Wilson were inseparable for a lot of the time in the lead-up to filming so the actress could best embody the news presenter — rollers in hair, husky voice, and all. —Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2024

As Shelly begins one final performance done up in her feathers, glitter and rhinestones, a smoky ballad comes in and a familiar, husky voice rings out. —Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2024

Noun

So there was a pair of huskies, not even people, huskies, that had a huge following in Wisconsin. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2024

Working as independent contractors who aren’t reimbursed for travel expenses, making enough for groceries, clothing, the dogs (the couple have a Yorkie, a Maltese and a husky), the truck and the costs involved with having a baby can be a challenge. —Gina Ryder, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

probably from husk huskiness, from obsolete husk to have a dry cough

Noun (1)

shortening of Huskemaw, Uskemaw Eskimo, from Cree aškime·w; akin to Montagnais (Algonquian language of eastern Canada) aiachkime8 Micmac, Eskimo — more at eskimo

Adjective (2)

probably from husk entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

circa 1722, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective (2)

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1864, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (3)

1552, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing husky

• Siberian husky

Kids Definition

husky

1 of 3 adjective

hus·​ky

ˈhəs-kē

huskier; huskiest

: hoarse sense 2

huskily

ˈhəs-kə-lē

adverb

huskiness

-kē-nəs

noun

husky

2 of 3 noun

hus·​ky

plural huskies

1

: a heavy-coated working dog especially of the New World arctic region

2

: siberian husky

husky

3 of 3 adjective

hus·​ky

huskier; huskiest

: burly, robust

Etymology

Adjective

probably derived from an obsolete sense of husk, meaning "to have a dry cough"

Noun

probably an altered form of Huskemaw, Uskemaw "Eskimo," from Cree aškime·w (same meaning)

Adjective

probably from husk "a hard outer covering"