hairy

English Online Dictionary. What means hairy‎? What does hairy mean?

English

Etymology

From Middle English hery, heeri, hary, equivalent to hair +‎ -y. Compare Saterland Frisian hierich (“hairy”), West Frisian hierrich (“hairy”), Dutch harig (“hairy”), German Low German harig (“hairy”), German haarig (“hairy”), Swedish hårig (“hairy”), Icelandic hárugur (“hairy”). Compare also Old English hǣriht (“hairy”) and ġehǣre (“hairy”).

The sense "terrifying, scary" possibly results from a blend of hair-raising and scary.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈhɛə.ɹi/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈhɛɚ.i/
• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /ˈheːɹi/
• (New Zealand, without the cheer–chair merger) IPA^(key): /ˈheəɹi/
• (New Zealand, cheer–chair merger) IPA^(key): /ˈhiəɹi/
• (Scotland) IPA^(key): /ˈheɹɪ/, /ˈheɹe/
• (Lancashire, fair–fur merger) IPA^(key): /ˈhɜːɹɪ/
• Rhymes: -ɛəɹi
• Homophones: harry (Mary–marry–merry merger), Harry (Mary–marry–merry merger)

Adjective

hairy (comparative hairier, superlative hairiest)

2. (of a person) Having a lot of body hair.

   Synonyms: hirsute, furry, hairful

4. (of an animal) Having a lot of fur.

   Near-synonyms: long-haired, furry

5. (of a human body part other than the head) Having hair growing from it.

   Synonyms: villous, hirsute, furry

7. (uncommon) Long-haired.

9. Seeming as if hair-covered or as if consisting of hair.

   Near-synonym: hairlike

10. (informal) Difficult, complex, intricate, or intimidating.

11. (informal) Causing anxiety or fright; terrifying, scary.

    Synonym: hair-raising

Antonyms

• (multiple senses): bald, hairless

Derived terms

Translations

See also

• dasypygal

Anagrams

• Yahir