hairier; hairiest
1
a
: covered with hair or hairlike material
b
: having a downy fuzz on the stems and leaves
2
: made of or resembling hair
3
a
: tending to cause nervous tension (as from danger)
a hairy adventure
b
: difficult to deal with or comprehend
a hairy math problem
Examples of hairy in a Sentence
The taxi ride got a little hairy.
When the deadline approaches, things can get a little hairy.
Recent Examples on the Web
From 1930s Chitlin’ Circuit reds (in honor of Beyoncé, of course) to snatched ponytails and even hairy shorts, this week’s beauty moments were full of historic references and reinvention.
—
India Espy-Jones, Essence, 5 May 2025
Vel and Cinta give the group strict instructions to leave their weapons at home, but one rebel’s hidden blaster goes off during a hairy moment, killing Cinta.
—Noel Murray, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Winning the battle against extinction is going to require more from us than manufacturing mutant wolves and hairy mice.
—Douglas McCauley, Time, 27 Apr. 2025
Genetically identical neurons that form Meissner corpuscles for picking up vibrations in glabrous skin, for example, also form lanceolate endings for detecting hair movement in hairy skin.
—Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hairy
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India Espy-Jones, Essence, 5 May 2025
Vel and Cinta give the group strict instructions to leave their weapons at home, but one rebel’s hidden blaster goes off during a hairy moment, killing Cinta.
—Noel Murray, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Winning the battle against extinction is going to require more from us than manufacturing mutant wolves and hairy mice.
—Douglas McCauley, Time, 27 Apr. 2025
Genetically identical neurons that form Meissner corpuscles for picking up vibrations in glabrous skin, for example, also form lanceolate endings for detecting hair movement in hairy skin.
—Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hairy
Cite this Entry
“Hairy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hairy. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hairy
adjective
ˈha(ə)r-ē 
ˈhe(ə)r-
hairier; hairiest
1
: bearing or covered with or as if with hair
2
: made of or resembling hair
3
a
: causing excitement (as from danger)
a hairy adventure
b
: difficult to deal with or understand
a hairy math problem
hairiness
noun
Medical Definition
hairy
adjective
hairier; hairiest
1
: covered with hair or hairlike material
2
: made of or resembling hair
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