hairy
7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for hairy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Covered with a lot of hair or fur.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use hairy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a hairy chest
get hairy
a hairy situation
The "risky/tense" sense is informal and common in spoken English.
Etymology
From "hair" plus "-y." The "scary or risky" sense likely grew out of the phrase "hair-raising," blended with an older informal use of "hairy" to mean tricky.
Full origin of hairy →Frequently asked questions
What does “hairy” mean?
The word “hairy” means covered with a lot of hair or fur. In plain terms, covered in hair, or, informally, tense and risky.
How do you pronounce “hairy”?
“Hairy” is pronounced HEH-uh-ree (/ˈhɛɹ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “hairy” in a sentence?
Here is “hairy” used in a sentence: “His hairy arms were covered in tattoos.”
What is the opposite of “hairy”?
The opposite of “hairy” — its antonyms — are bald and hairless.
What part of speech is “hairy”?
“Hairy” is an adjective.
Is “hairy” a common word?
“Hairy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “hairy” have?
“Hairy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: covered with a lot of hair or fur.
What is the difference between hairy and furry?
Hairy describes something covered with a lot of hair, and can apply to people, animals, or plants, while furry typically describes animals or objects covered specifically in fur, a softer and denser coat. Hairy also has a figurative sense meaning difficult or risky that furry does not share.
What does hairy mean in an informal context, like a hairy situation?
In informal speech, a "hairy situation" means one that is difficult, risky, or frightening, such as "the drive got pretty hairy in the storm." This figurative sense is unrelated to actual hair and instead conveys danger or tension.
Is hairy formal or informal when used to mean risky?
The risky or dangerous sense of hairy is informal and common in casual speech, such as describing a scary drive or a tense negotiation. In formal writing, words like "perilous," "risky," or "precarious" are more appropriate substitutes.
