wirier ˈwī-rē-ər How to pronounce wiry (audio) ; wiriest
1
a
archaic : made of wire
b
: resembling wire especially in form and flexibility
the wiry coat of the Irish terrier
wiry stems
c
of sound : produced by or suggestive of the vibration of wire
the violinist … often let his tone go nasal and wiryD. J. Henahan
2
: being lean, supple, and vigorous : sinewy
the wiry figure of a long-distance runnerPhoenix Flame
wirily adverb
wiriness noun

Examples of wiry in a Sentence

a man with long, wiry arms She was lean and wiry from years of working out. He has dark, wiry hair.
Recent Examples on the Web This springiness also helps the wiry tines grab broad leaves and pull them to you en masse. Gabriel Morgan, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2023 Directed by Severi, the film explores questions of fraternity and survival with a wiry comic tone and the expressive, natural splendor of the Puglian coast. Ben Croll, Variety, 9 Oct. 2023 Farid was the youngest of their three sons — a wiry boy buzzing with energy who roared around the neighborhood on a bike. Aurelien Breeden, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2023 The star singer is wiry, bleach-blond Roma twentysomething Ali (Samson Selim), a near-stranger hanging out after a one-night stand with middle-aged Toni. Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Sep. 2023 Allen, who is thin and wiry, got the Meadowlands dirt a decade ago from a housing developer nearby. Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2023 Good natured and wiry framed, Qutesh is behind the counter most hours his store’s open. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 14 Aug. 2023 Wasting no time, Blanchard — an unassuming, wiry, bespectacled teen — began stealing from electronics, furniture, and department stores, including completely clearing out a local RadioShack with some friends on Easter Sunday 1987. Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2023 Risk factors for developing pilonidal cysts include having thick, wiry hair on the lower back, sitting for long periods of time, and friction, such as a belt rubbing against the skin. Scott Sundick, Verywell Health, 25 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wiry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of wiry was in 1588

Dictionary Entries Near wiry

Cite this Entry

“Wiry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wiry. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

wiry

adjective
wirier ˈwī-rē-ər How to pronounce wiry (audio) ; wiriest
1
: resembling wire in form and flexibility
wiry stems
2
: being slender yet strong and muscular
a wiry physique

More from Merriam-Webster on wiry

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