hairy

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.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈhɛə.ɹi/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈhɛɹ.i/

  • Audio (US):

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• (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/
• Homophones: harry (Mary–marry–merry merger), Harry (Mary–marry–merry merger)
• Rhymes: -ɛəɹi

hairy (comparative hairier, superlative hairiest)

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

   Synonyms: hirsute, furry, hairful

   a hairy man

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

   Near-synonyms: long-haired, furry

   hairy mammoth

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

   Synonyms: villous, hirsute, furry

   hairy chest;   hairy back

7. (uncommon) Long-haired.

   yelling about dirty, hairy hippies

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

   Near-synonym: hairlike

   hairy cell leukemia

   hairy moss

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

    It’s a hairy problem, and will probably take several weeks to sort out.

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

    Synonym: hair-raising

    • 1966, Bruce Brown, director, The Endless Summer:

      Some surfers prefer the hairy thrill of a big wave.

    • 1992, Neal Stephenson, Snow Crash, page 243:

      A couple people see her, watch her slide on by, don't get all hairy about it.

• (multiple senses): bald, hairless

• dasypygal

• Yahir