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 noun

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

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

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.

Kids Definition

hairy

adjective
ˈha(ə)r-ē How to pronounce hairy (audio)
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
hairiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on hairy

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