adj

wiry

WEYE-ree

Wiry (adj) means Lean and muscular, with visible strength rather than bulk. Example: “The marathon runner had a wiry build that seemed built for endurance.”

adj

Lean and muscular, with visible strength rather than bulk.

"The marathon runner had a wiry build that seemed built for endurance."

"Despite his wiry frame, he could lift far more than expected."

Resembling wire in texture, especially stiff or springy hair or fur.

"The terrier had a coarse, wiry coat that needed regular brushing."

"His wiry gray hair stuck out in every direction."

How to use wiry

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThin but tough — used for lean, strong bodies or for stiff, springy hair or fur.

Common pairings

wiry build wiry hair wiry frame

Word forms

wirier comparative, wiriest superlative

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The marathon runner had a _____ build that seemed built for endurance.

Etymology

Formed from wire plus the suffix -y, describing something with the texture or leanness of wire.

Rhymes for wiry

airy dairy fairy hairy expiry inquiry

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Frequently asked questions

What does “wiry” mean?

The word “wiry” means lean and muscular, with visible strength rather than bulk. In plain terms, thin but tough — used for lean, strong bodies or for stiff, springy hair or fur.

How do you pronounce “wiry”?

“Wiry” is pronounced WEYE-ree (/ˈwaɪ(ə)ɹi/ in IPA).

How do you use “wiry” in a sentence?

Here is “wiry” used in a sentence: “The marathon runner had a wiry build that seemed built for endurance.”

What part of speech is “wiry”?

“Wiry” is an adjective.

How many meanings does “wiry” have?

“Wiry” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lean and muscular, with visible strength rather than bulk.