husband
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ˈhʌzbənd/
KK: /ˈhʌzbənd/
noun
Definition
A man who is married to a woman; a male partner in a marriage.
Example
My husband and I are going on vacation next week.
Conversation
Have you met my husband yet?
No, I haven't! What's he like?
He's really funny and loves to cook.
That sounds great! I’d love to meet him sometime.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
spouse
partner
mate
Antonyms
wife
ex-wife
mistress
transitive verb
Definition
A man who is married to a woman; a male partner in a marriage.
Example
She introduced her husband to her friends at the party.
Tense Forms
Past: husbanded
Past Participle: husbanded
Conversation
Did you hear that Sarah is trying to husband her daughter off to someone rich?
Really? I thought she was more modern than that!
I know, right? It feels so old-fashioned to husband someone like that.
Root Explanation
Husband → The word originates from Old English 'husbonda', which is derived from 'hus' (meaning house) and 'bonda' (meaning a dweller or owner). Thus, a husband is originally understood as a dweller or owner of a house.
Memory Tip
Think of someone who 'dwells' ('bonda') in a 'house' ('hus') — that's why a husband is often seen as the one who takes care of the home.
Visually Confused Words
cohusband
behusband
thousand