hairy
HEH-uh-ree
Hairy (adj) means Covered with a lot of hair or fur. Example: “His hairy arms were covered in tattoos.”
adj
1
Covered with a lot of hair or fur.
"His hairy arms were covered in tattoos."
"The hairy caterpillar inched along the branch."
"Our hairy dog needs brushing every day to stop it matting."
2
Difficult, risky, or frightening.
"The drive down the icy mountain road got pretty hairy."
"Things turned hairy when the negotiations broke down."
"Landing the small plane in strong winds was a hairy experience."
How to use hairy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCovered in hair, or, informally, tense and risky.
When to use it
The "risky/tense" sense is informal and common in spoken English.
Common pairings
a hairy chest
get hairy
a hairy situation
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Word forms
- Plural
- hairies
- Comparative
- hairier
- Superlative
- hairiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ arms were covered in tattoos.
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for hairy
See all rhymes for 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.
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