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

Her rock-climbing skills also come in handy when she’s trapped in a narrow gorge, and soon after when a hairy ascent provides echoes of the prologue. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026

Giants reliever Ryan Walker survived a hairy 10th inning to send the game into the 11th. —Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2026

So the molds – the hairy fungi – have spores which are released into the air. —Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 17 Apr. 2026

Leaves are dark green with some light patches, slightly hairy, and divided into three-toothed leaflets. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 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