husky

1 of 5

adjective (1)

hus·​ky ˈhə-skē How to pronounce husky (audio)
huskier; huskiest
: hoarse with or as if with emotion
huskily adverb
huskiness noun

husky

2 of 5

noun (1)

hus·​ky ˈhə-skē How to pronounce husky (audio)
plural huskies
1
2
: a heavy-coated working dog of the New World arctic region

husky

3 of 5

adjective (2)

hus·​ky ˈhə-skē How to pronounce husky (audio)
huskier; huskiest
1
2
: large

husky

4 of 5

noun (2)

hus·​ky ˈhə-skē How to pronounce husky (audio)
plural huskies
: one that is husky
huskier; huskiest
: resembling, containing, or full of husks

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The footage has resonated with countless husky owners who are all too familiar with the breed's mischievous nature. Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025 Pictures of husky puppy Kiss who is now in the care of Austin Pets Alive! Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
Noun
Also found at the scene were his wallet, cellphone, and husky. Nicole Acosta, People.com, 3 July 2025 Her TikTok video of the moment has left the internet in stitches, showcasing her husky, who thwarted her attempt to document the dog's escape habit by stealing the camera mid-act. Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for husky

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of husky was in 1552

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Husky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/husky. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

husky

1 of 3 adjective
hus·​ky
ˈhəs-kē
huskier; huskiest
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

husky

3 of 3 adjective
hus·​ky
huskier; huskiest
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"

More from Merriam-Webster on husky

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