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
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
Some plants don’t interest them as much, especially plants with hairy or fuzzy leaves or that are strongly scented.
—
Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 May 2026
The more popular Australian and New Zealand tree ferns, with their hairy trunks, get tired looking after a while, even while the giant chain fern expands radially into a huge clump with leaves up to 5 feet tall or taller.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Ideal for deshedding and extra hairy pets.
—Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 25 May 2026
And the score by Michael Abels (who collaborated with Jordan Peele on Get Out and Nope) is an all-timer, unsettling and steeped in dread to start and then frenetically nerve-shredding as things get hairier.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hairy
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Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 May 2026
The more popular Australian and New Zealand tree ferns, with their hairy trunks, get tired looking after a while, even while the giant chain fern expands radially into a huge clump with leaves up to 5 feet tall or taller.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Ideal for deshedding and extra hairy pets.
—Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 25 May 2026
And the score by Michael Abels (who collaborated with Jordan Peele on Get Out and Nope) is an all-timer, unsettling and steeped in dread to start and then frenetically nerve-shredding as things get hairier.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hairy
Cite this Entry
“Hairy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hairy. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
hairier; hairiest
1
: covered with hair or hairlike material
2
: made of or resembling hair
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