husky

1 of 6

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 6

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 6

adjective (2)

hus·​ky ˈhə-skē 

huskier; huskiest

1

: burly, robust

2

: large

husky

4 of 6

noun (2)

hus·​ky ˈhə-skē 

plural huskies

: one that is husky

husky

5 of 6

adjective (3)

ˈhə-skē 

huskier; huskiest

: resembling, containing, or full of husks

huskiness

6 of 6

noun (3)

husk·​i·​ness -kēnə̇s 

-kin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being husky

Synonyms of husky

Adjective (1)

• hoarse
• gruff

Adjective (2)

• athletic
• burly
• powerful
• beefy
• mighty
• brawny
• hulking
• stout
• muscular
• strong

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

Bob Cary, tall and husky outdoor editor of the Chicago Daily News, was there with his family, staying at the lake’s only resort, where Vera and I also were staying. — Hank Bradshaw, Outdoor Life, 24 June 2026

Known for a unique approach to improvisation and his warm, husky voice, Ulmer settled into a niche of his own in the late Seventies and early Eighties. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2026

Noun

While Vera battled this husky, Billy caught one on the other side with his blue fly. — Hank Bradshaw, Outdoor Life, 24 June 2026

My mother says that other than the house getting two new dogs (Siberian huskies, the sisters were big Game of Thrones fans), not much has changed. — Joseph Trinidad, Longreads, 16 June 2026

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

Rhymes for husky

• dusky
• muskie
• musky

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"