hairy

adjective

ˈher-ē 

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

hairiness

ˈher-ē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• bristly
• brushy
• cottony
• fleecy
• furred
• furry
• hirsute
• rough
• shaggy
• silky
• unshorn
• woolly
• wooly

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

Several things may cause dark black spots on the tongue, including a benign condition called hairy tongue, some medications, and some health conditions. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 8 June 2025

Enjoy some hairy onboard footage as this alien spaceship of a sailboat records the second-fastest speed in history. —New Atlas, 4 June 2025

Plants with hairy leaves may be more susceptible to damage from neem oil. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 May 2025

Dealing with these spaces directly can be super hairy, so this might be really difficult to figure out. —Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hairy

• hairy cell leukemia
• hairy-chested
• hairy eyeball
• hairy vetch
• hairy woodpecker

Rhymes for hairy

• aerie
• airy
• arie
• barre
• cherry
• clary
• dairy
• eyrie
• faerie
• faery
• fairy
• ferry

Kids 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

ˈha(ə)r-ē, ˈhe(ə)r- 

hairier; hairiest

1

: covered with hair or hairlike material

2

: made of or resembling hair

hairiness

ˈhar-ē-nəs, ˈher- 

noun