fibrous

adjective

fi·​brous ˈfī-brəs 

1

a

: containing, consisting of, or resembling fibers

b

: characterized by fibrosis

c

: capable of being separated into fibers

a fibrous mineral

2

: tough, sinewy

fibrous texture

Synonyms

• stringy

Examples of fibrous in a Sentence

He had surgery to remove fibrous scar tissue in his knee.

thick, fibrous hair that was not easy to comb

Recent Examples on the Web

Complex carbs are starches and the fibrous parts of food that the body doesn't digest. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025

Palm trees with fibrous trunks should be vigorously pruned and stripped of all fibrous tissue. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 22 Mar. 2025

The advanced lifting technique — which has become a favorite of specialist surgeons for its apparent longer lasting results — not only repositions the top layer of skin (known as an endoscopic facelift) but also the complex network of tissue and fibrous muscles below. —Leah Dolan, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025

And crucially, the studies that identified this association involved people who were eating a bunch of fibrous foods. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

modification of Middle French fibreux, from fibre fiber

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing fibrous

• fibrous root

Kids Definition

fibrous

adjective

fi·​brous ˈfī-brəs 

1

: containing, consisting of, or resembling fibers

2

: tough entry 1 sense 1b, stringy

Medical Definition

fibrous

adjective

fi·​brous ˈfī-brəs 

1

: containing, consisting of, or resembling fibers

collagen is a fibrous protein

2

: characterized by fibrosis