wiry

adjective

ˈwī(-ə)r-ē 

wirier ˈwī-rē-ər  ; wiriest

1

a

archaic : made of wire

b

: resembling wire especially in form and flexibility

the wiry coat of the Irish terrier

wiry stems

c

of sound : produced by or suggestive of the vibration of wire

the violinist … often let his tone go nasal and wiry

—D. J. Henahan

2

: being lean, supple, and vigorous : sinewy

the wiry figure of a long-distance runner

—Phoenix Flame

wirily

ˈwī-rə-lē 

adverb

wiriness

ˈwī-rē-nəs 

noun

Examples of wiry in a Sentence

a man with long, wiry arms

She was lean and wiry from years of working out.

He has dark, wiry hair.

Recent Examples on the Web

The wiry, 6-4 forward was taken with the 12th overall pick by Charlotte FC in the 2022 MLS Draft. —Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 16 July 2025

Flowers bloom late spring to early summer atop wiry, branched, nearly leafless stems rising to 24 inches tall above an 18-inch-tall clump of deep green leaves. —Judy Nauseef, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2025

He’s got some wiry strength and power with room to fill out and add lean muscle mass to a very rangy frame. —Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 27 June 2025

At just 17, the wiry triple-threat appears taller than expected — his spry frame helping explain the explosive dance moves that have the R&B world buzzing. —Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for wiry

• kyrie
• expiry
• inquiry

Kids Definition

wiry

adjective

ˈwī(ə)r-ē 

wirier ˈwī-rē-ər  ; wiriest

1

: resembling wire in form and flexibility

wiry stems

2

: being slender yet strong and muscular

a wiry physique