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 of hairy

• shaggy
• silky

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

To help keep their moisture levels in check and protect themselves from wind, desert plants often have spiny, waxy, or hairy leaves. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 Mar. 2026

This bit of mammoth tusk is about 2 feet long and looks more like a log than part of a big curved tooth from a hairy beast that roamed the tundra before going extinct thousands of years ago. —Rob Stein, NPR, 4 Mar. 2026

How To Identify Thrips The 1 to 2 mm-long adults are slender, with long, strap-like hairy wings. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026

And despite being a bit hairy, his foot was, in fact, clean. —Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026

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