spidery

adjective

spi·​dery ˈspī-də-rē 

1

a

: resembling a spider in form or manner

b

: resembling a spiderweb

spidery handwriting

especially : composed of fine threads or lines in a weblike arrangement

spidery lace

2

: infested with spiders

Examples of spidery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The original model walked with a spidery cat-eye that would have been considered bold. —Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, 2 Feb. 2025

Pelargonium 'Graffiti White' is a heat-loving selection with spidery white flowers on a plant that grows 14 inches tall. —Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Dec. 2022

Recently, scientists studying Lucy’s cells determined that her astrocytes — spidery nerve cells critical for cellular communication — may be actively killing her neurons. —Erin Allday, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Nov. 2022

The spidery lines of the reassembled pane are a careful worker’s diary of its destruction and reconstruction — and not a bad metaphor for the arc of Korean history in the 20th century. —Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

spidery

adjective

spi·​dery ˈspīd-ə-rē 

1

: resembling a spider

also : long and thin like the legs of a spider

2

: resembling a spiderweb

spidery handwriting

spidery lace

3

: full of spiders