shaggy

1 of 2

adjective

shag·​gy ˈsha-gē 

shaggier; shaggiest

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

: unkempt

b

: confused or unclear in conception or thinking

shaggy ideas

a shaggy argument

shaggily

ˈsha-gə-lē 

adverb

shagginess

ˈsha-gē-nəs 

noun

shagginess

2 of 2

noun

shag·​gi·​ness -gēnə̇s 

-gin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being shaggy

Synonyms of shaggy

Adjective

• hairy
• silky

Examples of shaggy in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula until a shaggy dough forms. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Pixie shag Somewhere between pixie and bixie lies this shaggy devil-may-care crop. — Loren Savini, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026

Towering ears with wispy tufts, massive paws, a shaggy coat and a tail that seems built to wrap around its body like a scarf. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026

Shaggy Messy Bob Margot Robbie’s shaggy cut is living proof that bedhead hair can also be chic. — Omenaa Boakye, InStyle, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing shaggy

• shaggy-dog
• shaggy-dog story

Rhymes for shaggy

• aggie
• baggy
• craggy
• flaggy
• scraggy

Kids Definition

shaggy

adjective

shag·​gy ˈshag-ē 

shaggier; shaggiest

1

: covered with or made up of long, coarse, or tangled growth

2

: having a rough or hairy surface

shaggily

ˈshag-ə-lē 

adverb

shagginess

ˈshag-ē-nəs 

noun