wiry
adjective
wirier
ˈwī-rē-ər 
; wiriest
; 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 wiry—
D. J. Henahan
D. J. Henahan2
: being lean, supple, and vigorous : sinewy
the wiry figure of a long-distance runner—Phoenix Flame
Phoenix FlameExamples 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
With his wiry 6ft 2in (190cm) frame and underestimated close control, Liverpool can use the 23-year-old as the fulcrum of the attack with his ability to create for others and score himself.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Smith’s wiry, experimental headpiece was constructed to coordinate with his custom three-piece suited look courtesy of Ozwald Boateng.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 8 Aug. 2025
Played by Austin Abrams with the wiry desperation and cunning of an addict, James is an unhoused junkie living in a tent in the woods, who has a nasty brush with Paul.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
The wirehaired dachshund is a small breed, growing to around 35 centimeters [14 inches] tall when fully grown, and the breed is noted for its wiry hair forming a type of mustache, bear and eyebrows on the face, according to pet food manufacturer Purina.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wiry
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Mark Carey, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Smith’s wiry, experimental headpiece was constructed to coordinate with his custom three-piece suited look courtesy of Ozwald Boateng.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 8 Aug. 2025
Played by Austin Abrams with the wiry desperation and cunning of an addict, James is an unhoused junkie living in a tent in the woods, who has a nasty brush with Paul.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
The wirehaired dachshund is a small breed, growing to around 35 centimeters [14 inches] tall when fully grown, and the breed is noted for its wiry hair forming a type of mustache, bear and eyebrows on the face, according to pet food manufacturer Purina.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wiry
Cite this Entry
“Wiry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wiry. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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