First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1husband
noun hus·band \ˈhəz-bənd\
: a married man : the man someone is married to
Full Definition of HUSBAND
1
: a male partner in a marriage
3
: a frugal manager
— hus·band·ly adjective
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Origin of HUSBAND
Middle English husbonde, from Old English hūsbonda master of a house, from Old Norse hūsbōndi, from hūs house + bōndi householder; akin to Old Norse būa to inhabit; akin to Old English būan to dwell — more at bower
2husband
verb
: to carefully use or manage (something, such as a resource)
Full Definition of HUSBAND
transitive verb
1
a : to manage prudently and economically b : to use sparingly : conserve
See husband defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HUSBAND
15th century
Related to HUSBAND
- Synonyms
- conserve
- Antonyms
- blow, dissipate, fritter (away), lavish, misspend, run through, squander, throw away, waste
HUSBAND Defined for Kids
1husband
noun hus·band \ˈhəz-bənd\
Definition of HUSBAND for Kids
: a male partner in a marriage
2husband
verb
hus·band·edhus·band·ing
Definition of HUSBAND for Kids
: to manage with thrift : use carefully <I've learned to husband my money.>
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