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
Synonyms
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
Another preparator, Celeste Carballo, who wore a blue jumpsuit, was applying hairy tufts with a hot-glue gun.
—
Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
This is the best feed to keep up with these hairy giants.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Oct. 2023
Companies are increasingly wary of wading into hairy issues that could get customers and lawmakers riled up ahead of the 2024 elections.
—Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2023
The footage shows a large, hairy biped walking across a hillside before squatting in the sagebrush.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 10 Oct. 2023
Don’t be deterred by the root’s hairy exterior; just trim it off with a knife.
—Sunset Staff, Sunset Magazine, 2 Nov. 2023
Chickweed, hairy bittercress and ragweed can all set seed in fall.
—Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023
Over 500 Amazon shoppers have purchased the hairy spider in the last month, and it’s even earned an Amazon’s Choice award.
—Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
In spite of their spooky, kooky, and pukey, icky, sticky, and sicky, and hairy, scary, and extra-ordinary appearance, monsters can be very funny:
What kind of hot dogs do monsters like best?
Hallowieners.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2023
See More
Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
This is the best feed to keep up with these hairy giants.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Oct. 2023
Companies are increasingly wary of wading into hairy issues that could get customers and lawmakers riled up ahead of the 2024 elections.
—Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2023
The footage shows a large, hairy biped walking across a hillside before squatting in the sagebrush.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 10 Oct. 2023
Don’t be deterred by the root’s hairy exterior; just trim it off with a knife.
—Sunset Staff, Sunset Magazine, 2 Nov. 2023
Chickweed, hairy bittercress and ragweed can all set seed in fall.
—Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023
Over 500 Amazon shoppers have purchased the hairy spider in the last month, and it’s even earned an Amazon’s Choice award.
—Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
In spite of their spooky, kooky, and pukey, icky, sticky, and sicky, and hairy, scary, and extra-ordinary appearance, monsters can be very funny:
What kind of hot dogs do monsters like best?
Hallowieners.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hairy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of hairy was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing hairy
Articles Related to hairy
Dictionary Entries Near hairy
Cite this Entry
“Hairy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hairy. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
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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
hairier; hairiest
1
: covered with hair or hairlike material
2
: made of or resembling hair
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