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
Anousheh’s role is to incentivize breakthroughs in areas like carbon removal, space exploration, clean water, and longevity—big, hairy problems that can't be solved on a tight deadline or narrow budget.
—
Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Black hairy tongue is a benign condition characterized by an abnormal coating of carpet-like papillae on the top surface of the tongue.9
Accidental ingestion during gargling: Hydrogen peroxide solutions up to 9% are usually safe to consume if swallowed while gargling.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025
In humans and other primates, Pacinian corpuscles lie deep in the underlayers of both glabrous and hairy skin and concentrate near joints.
—Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
From 1930s Chitlin’ Circuit reds (in honor of Beyoncé, of course) to snatched ponytails and even hairy shorts, this week’s beauty moments were full of historic references and reinvention.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hairy
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Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Black hairy tongue is a benign condition characterized by an abnormal coating of carpet-like papillae on the top surface of the tongue.9
Accidental ingestion during gargling: Hydrogen peroxide solutions up to 9% are usually safe to consume if swallowed while gargling.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025
In humans and other primates, Pacinian corpuscles lie deep in the underlayers of both glabrous and hairy skin and concentrate near joints.
—Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
From 1930s Chitlin’ Circuit reds (in honor of Beyoncé, of course) to snatched ponytails and even hairy shorts, this week’s beauty moments were full of historic references and reinvention.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hairy
Cite this Entry
“Hairy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hairy. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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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