husband
husband
Pronunciation
ˈhʌz.bənd
ˈhʌz
h /h/ - voiceless glottal fricative
ʌ /ʌ/ - mid central vowel (like "uh")
z /z/ - voiced alveolar fricative
bənd
b /b/ - voiced bilabial stop
ə /ə/ - schwa (reduced vowel)
n /n/ - voiced alveolar nasal
d /d/ - voiced alveolar stop
Word Form Variations
Singular: husband
Plural: husbands
The verb form of "husband" is less common but still exists:
Verb: to husband (meaning to conserve or manage economically)
Past Tense: husbanded
Past Participle: husbanded
Present Participle (Gerund): husbanding
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: A married man considered in relation to his wife.
Synonyms: spouse, mate, partner, life partner, consort
Antonyms: wife, widow, bachelor, single man
Verb:
Definition: To manage or use economically; to conserve.
Synonyms: conserve, economize, save, preserve, spare
Antonyms: waste, squander, dissipate, lavish, deplete
Examples of Use
In literature:
"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen: "Mr. Bennet, however, could not be prevailed on to take any interest in the matter; he had never been fond of Mrs. Bennet…”
"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald: "In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since."
In newspapers:
"The New York Times": "Husband and Wife Team Opens New Restaurant Downtown"
"The Guardian": "Husband of Missing Woman Speaks Out"
Online publications:
"The Huffington Post": "How to Be a Better Husband"
"BuzzFeed": "25 Hilarious Tweets Only Husbands Will Understand"
In entertainment:
TV shows: "Modern Family," "The Simpsons," "Friends" (numerous episodes feature husbands)
Movies: "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "The Notebook," "Crazy Rich Asians"
Music: "My Cherie Amour" by Stevie Wonder, "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran
In general public discourse:
Social media: "My husband and I went on a date night last night."
Everyday conversations: "How is your husband doing?"
News reports: "The suspect is the husband of the victim."
10 Famous Quotes Using Husband
"A good husband makes a good wife." — John Florio
"The husband who decides to surprise his wife is often very much surprised himself." — Voltaire
"My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me." — Winston Churchill (referring to his role as a husband)
"A husband is what’s left of a sweetheart after the nerve has been killed." — Lou Costello
"An ideal wife is any woman who has an ideal husband." — Booth Tarkington
"A husband is someone who, after taking the trash out, gives the impression he just cleaned the whole house." — Unknown (popular humorous quote)
"I tell my husband that since he lost all his hair, he doesn’t have to wash it anymore. That saves a lot of time." — Dolly Parton
"A dress that zips up the back will bring a husband and wife together." — James H. Boren
"My husband is the first man who has ever truly been my friend." — Marilyn Monroe
"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person — your husband or wife." — Mignon McLaughlin
Etymology
The word "husband" has a fascinating history!
Roots in Old Norse: It comes from the Old Norse word "hūsbōndi," which literally means "master of the house."
"hūs" means "house"
"bōndi" means "dweller" or "householder"
Early Meaning: Originally, "husband" referred to the male head of a household, responsible for managing the home and its resources.
Evolution: Over time, the meaning shifted to primarily refer to a married man in relation to his wife.
So, essentially, the word "husband" started out meaning someone who managed a household, and eventually came to specifically mean a married man.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Husband
Original Phrases:
"To husband one's resources" - This plays on the original meaning of "husband" as a manager. It means to use resources carefully and sparingly, to conserve them.
"A husband's heart is a home's compass" - This emphasizes the importance of a husband's role in providing guidance and direction for his family.
"To weather the storms with one's husband" - This highlights the strength and resilience of a marriage in facing challenges together.
Idioms with Synonyms:
"To be a tower of strength" (for a husband) - Similar to "a husband's heart is a home's compass," this emphasizes his role as a pillar of support.
"To stand by one's spouse" - This emphasizes loyalty and unwavering support within a marriage.
"To weather the storm together" - This idiom, while not directly using "husband," captures the essence of facing challenges as a married couple.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of husband from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
