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

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
As a result, shelters are teeming not only with the kinds of dogs that people might imagine, like large-breed mutts and pit bulls; but also huskies, French bulldogs and designer dogs. Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024 Outdoor Activities The fun continues outside with reindeers to feed, playful huskies to meet, and your choice of dog sleds or snowmobiles to explore the surrounding area in the winter. David Nikel, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 The amusing sequence concluded when a police officer stepped in to prevent the husky from successfully making its escape. The Arizona Republic, 9 Jan. 2024 Rio, a 2-year-old husky shepherd mix, took on the job in April. Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 3 Feb. 2024 So, whether you're smitten by the blue eyes of a husky, the floppy ears of a beagle, or the playful spirit of a Labrador, the best dog for you is one that fits your lifestyle and fills your heart with joy. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2023 There is a lot of barking at Dhani Harrison’s house as a new husky puppy is arriving. Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 13 Nov. 2023 The video showcased one of its huskies escaping from its kennel, enjoying some food, and trying to dash out of the building. The Arizona Republic, 9 Jan. 2024 Earlier this spring, a pack of free-roaming hounds — identified as three Labrador mixes, two Queensland blue heelers and a husky — slaughtered a herd of goats and two sheep. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2024
Adjective
As evening shrouded the settlement in impenetrable black, Father Moisés lowered his husky frame into a hammock. Bishop Sand, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2024 As a child, Zac was bright and quirky, with curly red hair and a voice that was husky and surprisingly deep. Patrick Radden Keefe, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 Marlena Shaw, who cultivated a sultry stage presence and husky voice from the final echoes of the big-band era, to the go-go Playboy Clubs of the 1960s, to the rise of funk, to disco and finally to the modern cabaret circuit, died on Jan. 19. Alex Traub, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2024 Alcoholic beverages will include $6 light draft beers, the Wolverine bite drink of Corazon Blanco, blue curacao, lime juice, simple syrup, and lemonade, and the husky hooch drink of Wheatley Vodka, Creme de Violette, lime juice, simple syrup lemonade. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 5 Jan. 2024 Started working out on my magical arts and evolved from a skinny boy to a husky man. Michael Schneider, Variety, 25 Oct. 2023 Animal at large: Greenbriar Drive On July 19, police were dispatched to a Greenbriar Drive address regarding a husky dog running loose in the area. John Benson, cleveland, 11 Aug. 2023 The 19-year-old Brooklyn drill artist known as Pop Smoke took the sonic template from Chief Keef nearly a decade earlier, but added his own deep, husky intonations for a one-of-a-kind spin on the sound. August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2023 Editor’s picks Of the twelve soldiers Grey passed along, Schwarzman chose six husky U.S. Marines with blond hair and blue eyes, six feet tall and over. Scott Johnson, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'husky.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near husky

Cite this Entry

“Husky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/husky. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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"

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