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
For owners of corgis, English bulldogs, huskies or other four-legged pups who are craft beer aficionados, dog-friendly breweries are a fun outing because of their large open spaces and variety of craft beers. Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Nov. 2023 Best among the moles is perhaps the Amarillo, husky and smooth, finished with crunchy crickets imported from Oaxaca. Elazar Sontag, Bon Appétit, 13 Sep. 2023 People with certain breeds like beagles, bloodhounds and huskies were more likely to report their dog was a howler. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 11 Sep. 2023 The raccoon clung to Rosie, a 73-pound husky and malamute mix, dug into her chest, tore her ear and bit her face. Austindedios, oregonlive, 24 Aug. 2023 The musician is a dog lover and animal enthusiast, Rose said, and couldn’t resist having husky Bret Michaels as one of his own. Sydney Page, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2023 Both huskies gained several pounds within their first few days at the shelter before moving into a foster home together. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 10 Oct. 2023 Stuffed animals — a bear, a husky, a bunny — surrounded the tree where neighbors stopped to remember her. Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023 The sweeping rendition opens with Bennett's husky vocals before transitioning into Streisand's sweet lilt over strings. Ilana Kaplan, Peoplemag, 25 July 2023
Adjective
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 With husky brown hair and enough bronzer to fill a M.A.C showroom, Dern storms through Recount. Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 3 June 2022 This singular melding of musical synergies, layered with Eady’s husky voice, makes his latest musical iteration feel timeless. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 15 May 2023 The Wakeman man was arrested for stealing a husky extension cord, a surge protector and a five-gallon bucket of primer. John Benson, cleveland, 26 Jan. 2022 Lap up Lapland’s lively diversions, such as wilderness sled and sledge rides pulled by snowmobiles, reindeers or husky dogs; toboggan slides; snow-shoeing hikes; wool-sock nature walks; kick and fat bike outings; and ice water floats (while wearing buoyant brrr-thwarting wetsuits). Laura Manske, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023 See More

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 2 Dec. 2023.

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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