husband

hus-band · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A married man in relation to his spouse.

  2. 2.

    (archaic) A manager of a household.

  3. 3.

    To use resources economically; to conserve.

Forms

plural: husbands

Phrases & expressions

  • husband and wife — a married couple
  • husband one's resources — use resources carefully
  • a good husband — a caring, supportive married partner

Related words

Antonyms: wife
Synonyms: mate, partner, spouse

Etymology

From Old Norse "húsbóndi" (master of a house), from "hús" (house) + "bóndi" (dweller, householder), from "búa" (to dwell). The word originally meant "male head of a household" before narrowing to mean "married man." The verb sense of "managing carefully" derives from the original meaning of household management.