/ˈhɛə.ɹi/, /ˈhɛɹ.i/, /ˈheːɹi/
OriginFrom 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.
- Having a lot of body hair.
- Having a lot of fur.
“Near-synonyms: long-haired, furry”
“hairy mammoth”
- Having hair growing from it.
“hairy chest; hairy back”
- uncommonLong-haired.
“yelling about dirty, hairy hippies”
- Seeming as if hair-covered or as if consisting of hair.
“Near-synonym: hairlike”
“hairy cell leukemia”
“hairy moss”
- informalDifficult, complex, intricate, or intimidating.
“It’s a hairy problem, and will probably take several weeks to sort out.”
- informalCausing anxiety or fright; terrifying, scary.
“Some surfers prefer the hairy thrill of a big wave.”
“A couple people see her, watch her slide on by, don't get all hairy about it.”
Formshairier(comparative) · hairiest(superlative)