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Definition of havanese

havanese

/ˌhæv.əˈniːz/
Hav · a · nese

Plural:Havanese
•
Adjective:Havanese
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havanese Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A small, sturdy breed of dog originating in Cuba, characterized by a long, silky coat, a plumed tail, and a lively, affectionate disposition.

Example

"The Havanese is an excellent companion dog that thrives on human interaction and adapts quite well to apartment living."

Photo by Szabozs / Public domain

2

A native or inhabitant of Havana, Cuba.

Example

"As a proud Havanese, she often spoke of the vibrant music and rich colonial architecture of her home city."

• adjective

1

Of, relating to, or characteristic of Havana, the capital city of Cuba, or its people.

Example

"The gallery featured a stunning collection of Havanese street photography, capturing the lively spirit of the historic Caribbean city."

Word Nuance & Usage

Always capitalized in standard usage as it derives from the proper place name Havana. In contemporary contexts, the word predominantly refers to the dog breed rather than a human demonym.

• Rhymes for havanese

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from Havana, the capital city of Cuba, combined with the suffix '-ese', which denotes origin or relation. The dog breed was developed in Cuba from the now-extinct Blanquito de la Habana.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Havanese. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/havanese
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