# woolly

/ˈwʊɫi/ (US) · /wˈʊli/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/woolly
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

made of wool or looking like wool. It also describes ideas or thinking that are not clear or organized.

For teachers: consisting of or resembling wool; figuratively describes ideas, arguments, or thinking lacking in clarity or precision.

## Examples

- She wore a thick, woolly jumper to stay warm.
- The politician's speech was full of woolly promises that lacked any specific details about the budget.
- While the initial proposal had merit, the subsequent implementation plan was criticized for being too woolly to provide actionable guidance for the engineering team.

## Usage notes

- Often used figuratively to criticize a lack of intellectual rigour.

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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.