wispy

or wisp·ish

[ wis-pee ]

adjective

, wisp·i·er, wisp·i·est.

1. being a wisp or in wisps; wisplike:

   a wispy plant.

ˈwispy

/ ˈwɪspɪ /

adjective

1. wisplike; delicate, faint, light, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈwispily, adverb
• ˈwispiness, noun

Other Words From

• wispi·ly adverb
• wispi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wispy¹

First recorded in 1710–20; wisp + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Several of the 37-contributor show’s standouts are three-dimensional, even while many of the entries are merely a few wispy marks on paper or fabric.

From Washington Post

This specimen has many unique features, but paleontologists were especially excited about the wispy, feathery fringe that ran all along the animal’s back, down to the tip of its tail.

From Nautilus

Hot climates, fast and light missions, and mountains that rarely see precipitation call for wispy ­rain gear.

From Outside Online

These animals had soft, wispy, quickly growing wool—finer than today’s best cashmere.

From Popular-Science

These animals had soft, wispy, quickly growing wool – finer than today’s best cashmere.

From No Straight News

One 1918 example, in wispy silk chiffon and lace is even trimmed in mink!

From The Daily Beast

The young, wispy models that have been featured in each runway show and look book have done the same.

From The Daily Beast

His scalp was freckled and shiny, with wispy tufts of hair above his ears.

From The Daily Beast

Therefore, I assume, he is politically at odds with the wispy-bearded ultra-Orthodox men surrounding us.

From The Daily Beast

She favors wispy white dresses and can spend hours arranging flowers.

From The Daily Beast

The wispy youth shrugged his shoulders and growled some inarticulate reply in monosyllable.

From Project Gutenberg

A lanky youth in shirt-sleeves, with a mud-coloured, wispy face, was presiding over the transactions.

From Project Gutenberg

Within the round changing frame of wispy vapor two men sat by a fire of logs and branches.

From Project Gutenberg

He was short and pudgy, with a halo of wispy hair and the coldest, grimmest eyes that Wyman had ever seen.

From Project Gutenberg

She turned away from him, her arms flung above her head and wispy hair veiling her damp cheek.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• nebulous
• slender