Husband

/ˈhʌzbənd/

nounBeginnerCommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A married man, especially when referring to him in relation to his wife.

/ˈhʌzbənd/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A married man

My husband is a wonderful cook.

💡 Simply: Your husband is the guy you're married to! He's your partner for life, the one you share a home and maybe even kids with. Think of him as your best friend, partner in crime, and someone you always turn to.

👶 For kids: A husband is a grown-up man who is married to a woman.

More Examples

2

She loves her husband very much.

3

They celebrated their anniversary with their husbands and wives

How It's Used

Social

"She is married to her husband of 20 years."

Legal

"Under law, a husband and wife have certain rights and responsibilities."

2

To manage or conserve resources economically; to use sparingly.

/ˈhʌzbənd/

verbneutralAdvanced
General

To manage economically; conserve

They were forced to husband their money during the crisis.

💡 Simply: Imagine you have a limited supply of cookies. To 'husband' them means to eat them slowly, carefully, so they last a long time. You're being careful with your resources!

👶 For kids: To husband means to save or use something carefully, like you're saving your allowance.

More Examples

2

She had to husband her time to complete all of her tasks.

3

We need to husband the remaining fuel.

How It's Used

Financial

"The family had to husband their dwindling resources during the economic downturn."

Resource Management

"We must husband our energy to complete the project."

Tip:Think of a farmer 'husbanding' his land - using it carefully.

Idioms & expressions

a good husband

A man who fulfills his marital duties and is supportive and caring towards his wife.

"He is a good husband and father."

be a good husband to someone

To treat your wife with love, respect, and care.

"He tries to be a good husband to his wife."

From Middle English *husbonde*, from Old Norse *húsbóndi* ('master of the house'), from *hús* ('house') + *bóndi* ('dweller, farmer, master').

The word 'husband' originates from Old Norse, reflecting the historical role of the male head of the household.

Memory tip

Think of the 'house-band' - the man who runs the house, in older times.

Base: husband
huzbandhushband

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written