hairy
adjective
ˈher-ē 
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
hairiness
ˈher-ē-nəs
noun 
Synonyms
- bristly
- brushy
- cottony
- fleecy
- furred
- furry
- hirsute
- rough
- shaggy
- silky
- unshorn
- woolly
- wooly
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The taxi ride got a little hairy. When the deadline approaches, things can get a little hairy.
Recent Examples on the Web Uncle Jerry held her hand in his big, hairy one, his own eyes closed. 
Daniella Mestyanek Young, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2022 Instead, the show focuses on a group of early proto-hobbits, called harfoots — and these tiny, hairy-toed nomads have proved to be one of the show's biggest breakouts. Devan Coggan, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2022 In the 1990s, Tillmans took photographs of friends and windowsills, of hairy armpits, boring architecture, ecstatic dance parties and the detritus left over in the morning. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2022 Distress calls are part of the job for Minnesota deputy Nate Jacobson, but this rescue operation is particularly hairy. USA TODAY, 22 June 2022 The mascot is a large and hairy yellow creature with various-colored splotches on its head. Louis Krauss, USA TODAY, 21 July 2022 When starting a business, a founder should think about its BHAG (big hairy audacious goal). Roman Kumar Vyas, Forbes, 1 July 2022 When things get hairy, Boba resorts to a drastic measure: bring out the rancor. Carson Burton, Variety, 5 Aug. 2022 Plus, things might get hairy as the barbershop reopens at Magic Kingdom. Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2022 See More
Daniella Mestyanek Young, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2022 Instead, the show focuses on a group of early proto-hobbits, called harfoots — and these tiny, hairy-toed nomads have proved to be one of the show's biggest breakouts. Devan Coggan, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2022 In the 1990s, Tillmans took photographs of friends and windowsills, of hairy armpits, boring architecture, ecstatic dance parties and the detritus left over in the morning. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2022 Distress calls are part of the job for Minnesota deputy Nate Jacobson, but this rescue operation is particularly hairy. USA TODAY, 22 June 2022 The mascot is a large and hairy yellow creature with various-colored splotches on its head. Louis Krauss, USA TODAY, 21 July 2022 When starting a business, a founder should think about its BHAG (big hairy audacious goal). Roman Kumar Vyas, Forbes, 1 July 2022 When things get hairy, Boba resorts to a drastic measure: bring out the rancor. Carson Burton, Variety, 5 Aug. 2022 Plus, things might get hairy as the barbershop reopens at Magic Kingdom. Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing hairy
Kids Definition
hairy
adjective
ˈher-ē
hairier; hairiest
: covered with hair
Medical Definition
hairy
adjective
ˈha(ə)r-ē, ˈhe(ə)r-
hairier; hairiest
1
: covered with hair or hairlike material
2
: made of or resembling hair
hairy
adjective
1
as in shaggy
covered with or as if with hair a hairy spider Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- shaggy
- silky
- hirsute
- furry
- woolly
- furred
- bristly
- wooly
- fluffy
- bearded
- fleecy
- unshorn
- brushy
- cottony
- fuzzy
- rough
- stubbly
- whiskered
- bewhiskered
- mustachioed
- stubbled
- moustachioed
- downy
- nappy
- linty
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hairless
- bald
- glabrous
- smooth
- shorn
- shaved
- shaven
- furless
- beardless
2
as in fuzzy
made of or resembling hair found enough hairy clumps around the house to make another cat a hairy mass of fiberglass insulation Synonyms & Similar Words
- shaggy
- fuzzy
- furry
- rough
- woolly
- wooly
- fluffy
- puffy
- downy
- hairlike
- nappy
3
as in sensitive
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling landing on that airstrip is always a hairy proposition Synonyms & Similar Words
- sensitive
- difficult
- tough
- spiny
- sticky
- knotty
- complicated
- thorny
- problematic
- delicate
- ticklish
- nasty
- touchy
- prickly
- problem
- problematical
- tricky
- tricksy
- hard
- painful
- complex
- dodgy
- serious
- catchy
- scabrous
- intricate
- troublesome
- abstract
- stubborn
- recondite
- involved
- abstruse
- vexing
- troublous
- vexatious
- worrisome
- inconvenient
- oppressive
- burdensome
- importunate
- demanding
- stressful
- exhausting
- onerous
- discommoding
- exacting
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- painless
- simple
- uncomplicated
- easy
- unproblematic
- straightforward
- undemanding
- manageable
- effortless
4
as in disturbing
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings the snowstorm made for a hairy commute back home that evening Synonyms & Similar Words
- disturbing
- uneasy
- creepy
- nervous
- tense
- restless
- unsettling
- anxious
- agitating
- distressful
- distressing
- unnerving
- disquieting
- embarrassing
- troublesome
- fraught
- worrisome
- awkward
- strained
- nerve-racking
- nail-biting
- nerve-wracking
- bothersome
- discouraging
- foreboding
- restive
- disheartening
- misgiving
- unrestful
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- comfortable
- quiet
- peaceful
- calming
- tranquil
- easy
- restful
- pacific
- quieting
- australianisms
- australianize
- australians
- australias
- Australic
- australite
- australler
- australlest
- Australoid
- australoids
- australopitheci
- Australopithecidae
- Australopithecinae
- australopithecine
- australopithecines
- Australopithecus
- australopithecuses
- australopithecusses
- Australorbis
- Australorp
- australs
- Austrasia
- austrasian
- austrasians
- Austria