hairy

adjective

ˈher-ē 

hairier; hairiest

1

a

: covered with hair or hairlike material

b

: having a downy fuzz on the stems and leaves

2

: made of or resembling hair

3

a

: tending to cause nervous tension (as from danger)

a hairy adventure

b

: difficult to deal with or comprehend

a hairy math problem

hairiness

ˈher-ē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• bristly
• brushy
• cottony
• fleecy
• furred
• furry
• hirsute
• rough
• shaggy
• silky
• unshorn
• woolly
• wooly

Examples of hairy in a Sentence

The taxi ride got a little hairy.

When the deadline approaches, things can get a little hairy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Any horror novel worth its salt should make the heart race and the spine tingle, as if a great, hairy spider was skittering along each vertebrae. —Jordan Kopy, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024

Sabrina Carpenter is addressing her hairy situation. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 7 Oct. 2024

Jati is also the hairiest elephant in the group and has light brown eyes. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2024

The patch stayed in place even when applied to wet or hairy skin, providing good readings without causing any skin irritation. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hairy

• hairy cell leukemia
• hairy-chested
• hairy eyeball
• hairy vetch
• hairy woodpecker

Kids Definition

hairy

adjective

ˈha(ə)r-ē 

ˈhe(ə)r-

hairier; hairiest

1

: bearing or covered with or as if with hair

2

: made of or resembling hair

3

a

: causing excitement (as from danger)

a hairy adventure

b

: difficult to deal with or understand

a hairy math problem

hairiness noun

Medical Definition

hairy

adjective

ˈha(ə)r-ē, ˈhe(ə)r- 

hairier; hairiest

1

: covered with hair or hairlike material

2

: made of or resembling hair

hairiness

ˈhar-ē-nəs, ˈher- 

noun