husband
A1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A married man considered in relation to his spouse.
A partner in a marriage; a man who is bound by the legal and social institution of marriage to a woman or, in some jurisdictions, to another man. Historically and in some contexts, it can also refer to a manager or steward of resources (from the verb).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary meaning is gendered ('male spouse'). While 'partner' is gender-neutral, 'husband' is not. The legal term 'spouse' encompasses husband. The verb 'to husband' (meaning to manage resources carefully) is archaic and highly formal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word itself is identical in spelling, meaning, and use. Minor differences exist in the verb's frequency (both rare, but slightly more attestation in UK formal/archaic contexts). Collocations like 'husband and wife' are universal.
Connotations
Neutral in both. In modern usage, carries no inherent positive or negative social connotation, though cultural or individual perceptions may vary.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[possessive determiner] + husbandhusband + of + [possessive noun phrase]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Husband your resources (archaic).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used except in HR/benefits contexts ('spouse' is more common).
Academic
Used in sociological, historical, or legal studies when specifying gender.
Everyday
The dominant context; a fundamental kinship term.
Technical
Legal documents specifying marital status and rights.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We must husband our remaining supplies for the long winter.
- The estate was carefully husbanded for future generations.
American English
- The community husbanded its water resources during the drought.
- He husbanded his strength for the final mile.
adverb
British English
- N/A (no standard adverb form)
American English
- N/A (no standard adverb form)
adjective
British English
- N/A (no standard adjective form)
American English
- N/A (no standard adjective form)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My husband is a teacher.
- She is looking for her husband.
- He is Maria's husband.
- Her husband works in the city centre.
- They have been husband and wife for five years.
- I'll need to ask my husband first.
- Despite the rumours, she remains fiercely loyal to her husband.
- He proved to be a very supportive husband during her illness.
- The role of a husband has evolved considerably in recent decades.
- Her late husband's legacy continues to fund the research.
- He was accused of not husbanding the company's assets prudently.
- The legal definition of 'husband' was challenged in the court case.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HUSBAND = 'House Band' -> Think of a man who is the 'band' (partner) for the 'house' (household).
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE IS A PARTNERSHIP / A BOND.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Direct translation is 'муж'. Avoid using 'мужчина' (man) or 'супруг' (spouse) unless context demands the latter's formality.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'husband' as a gender-neutral term (it is not). Confusing 'husband' (n.) with 'to husband' (v., archaic).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the primary meaning of 'husband' as a noun?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Husband' specifically refers to a male spouse. The gender-neutral equivalent is 'spouse' or 'partner'.
Yes, but it is rare and formal/archaic. It means to manage resources carefully and economically (e.g., 'to husband one's strength').
'Husband' is the male partner in a marriage; 'wife' is the female partner.
Yes, 'hubby' is a common, informal synonym for 'husband', predominantly used in spoken and colloquial English.
Collections
Part of a collection
Family Members
A1 · 44 words · Words for family, people and relationships at home.