# hairy

/ˈhɛɹi/ (US) · /hˈeəɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hairy
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. covered in hair

adjective · CEFR B1

having a lot of hair on the body.

For teachers: covered with hair, especially in reference to human body hair.

- He has very hairy arms and legs.
- The actor had to shave his hairy chest for the role to better fit the character's sleek, athletic aesthetic.

### 2. covered in fur

adjective · CEFR B1

having a lot of fur, like an animal.

For teachers: covered with thick fur or long hair; often used to describe animals or textiles.

- The dog is big and hairy, but he is very friendly.
- The caterpillar was covered in tiny, hairy bristles that served as a defense mechanism against local predators.

### 3. scary or dangerous

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

dangerous, scary, or difficult to deal with.

For teachers: frighteningly hazardous, precarious, or difficult; often used to describe a close call or a tense situation.

- The drive through the mountains was a bit hairy because of the thick fog.
- It got a bit hairy on the flight when the engine started making a strange noise during the storm.

Usage: Often used with 'bit' or 'moment' to describe a specific part of an experience.

Teaching tip: This is a very common British and American idiom for 'scary' in a physical or high-stakes sense.

## Examples

- The drive through the mountain pass was a bit hairy.
- We had a hairy moment when the engine stalled in the middle of the busy intersection.
- Navigating the legal loopholes of the new tax code proved to be a hairy experience even for the most seasoned accountants on the team.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.