shaggy

adjective

shag·​gy ˈsha-gē How to pronounce shaggy (audio)
shaggier; shaggiest
Synonyms of shaggynext
1
a
: covered with or consisting of long, coarse, or matted hair
b
: covered with or consisting of thick, tangled, or unkempt vegetation
c
: having a rough nap, texture, or surface
d
: having hairlike processes
2
a
b
: confused or unclear in conception or thinking
shaggy ideas
a shaggy argument
shaggily adverb
shagginess noun

Examples of shaggy in a Sentence

a big, shaggy dog kept trying to lick my face a shaggy carpet that was a relic of the 1970s
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Unlike typical mice with short gray-brown coats, these woolly mice have long dirty-blond hair that mimics the shaggy fur that helped protect mammoths from the Arctic cold. Rob Stein, NPR, 4 Mar. 2026 Fisher accessorized with oversized sunglasses, point-toe heels, and a small brown handbag, wearing her long tresses in beachy waves with shaggy fringe. Hannah Malach, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026 Elsewhere, vintage Hollywood silhouettes and flapper dresses were reinterpreted in subtle ways, from Odessa A’zion’s shaggy fringed jumpsuit to the glittering drop waist of Rose Byrne’s silk crepe Chanel dress. Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026 Using two butter knives or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the flour until the mixture looks shaggy, with pea-size pieces and a few flatter shards. Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shaggy

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of shaggy was in 1581

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shaggy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaggy. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

shaggy

adjective
shag·​gy ˈshag-ē How to pronounce shaggy (audio)
shaggier; shaggiest
1
: covered with or made up of long, coarse, or tangled growth
2
: having a rough or hairy surface
shaggily adverb
shagginess noun

More from Merriam-Webster on shaggy

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