wiry

wiry — adjective

1. describing a person or animal whose body is slender or light in build but surpri

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describing a person or animal whose body is slender or light in build but surprisingly firm, tough, and full of energy.

例句

Small and wiry, Élise climbed the steep rock wall faster than anyone.

predicative use: be + wiry; contrast with 'small'

The wiry old farmer lifted the heavy grain sack onto his shoulder.

attributive use: wiry + noun (wiry farmer)

同義詞
  • lean

    Focuses on lack of body fat; does not necessarily imply strength like wiry does.

  • sinewy

    More formal; emphasises visible muscles and toughness, often used for older people.

  • tough

    Broader in meaning; can also describe character or durability, not just physical build.

反義詞
  • flabby

    Describes a soft, weak body, the opposite of wiry's firmness.

  • bulky

    Describes a large, heavy body, contrasting with wiry's slender frame.

文法句型

wiry + noun (wiry frame, wiry arms, wiry dog)

用法筆記

Commonly describes active individuals such as athletes, farmers, and climbers, or animals like dogs, cats, and horses. The word always carries a positive or admiring tone toward the person's toughness — do not use it for someone who looks weak or unhealthy.

常見錯誤

❌She is wiry and weak.
✅She is wiry and strong.
💡Wiry implies toughness; pairing it with 'weak' contradicts the meaning.
❌The wiry cat was overweight.
✅The wiry cat was lean but muscular.
💡Wiry describes a lean, firm body, not a heavy one.

2. used to describe hair or fur that is thick, stiff, and rough to the touch, with

2.形容詞B2
釋義

used to describe hair or fur that is thick, stiff, and rough to the touch, with a texture similar to thin pieces of wire.

例句

Grandfather's wiry grey beard scratched my cheek whenever he hugged me.

wiry + beard; tactile context (scratched)

No ordinary brush could tame her thick, wiry hair after it dried in the wind.

paired with 'thick'; difficulty-of-care context

同義詞
  • coarse

    Describes rough texture broadly; less specific than wiry about the 'wire-like' feel.

  • bristly

    Suggests short, stiff hairs; often used for stubble or animal fur.

  • stiff

    Simpler, more general word for something that does not bend easily.

反義詞
  • silky

    Describes smooth, soft hair, opposite of wiry's roughness.

  • fine

    Describes thin, soft strands, opposite of wiry's thick, stiff texture.

文法句型

wiry + hair/beard/curls/fur

用法筆記

Only describes hair, fur, or beard texture — never used for other materials. Frequently applied to facial hair (beard, eyebrows) and animal coats. Can carry a slightly negative connotation compared to neutral words like 'thick' or 'full'.

常見錯誤

❌She has wiry, silky hair.
✅She has wiry, coarse hair.
💡Silky and wiry describe opposite textures; they contradict each other.
❌The wiry fabric felt soft.
✅The rough fabric felt scratchy.
💡Wiry only describes hair or fur, not general fabric.