sandy

¹ American  

[san-dee] / ˈsæn di /

adjective

sandier, sandiest

1. of the nature of or consisting of sand.

2. containing or covered with sand.

3. of a yellowish-red color.

   sandy hair.

4. having hair of a sandy color.

5. shifting or unstable, like sand.

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Sandy ² American  

[san-dee] / ˈsæn di /

noun

1. a male given name.

2. a female given name, form of Sandra, Saundra, Sondra.

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sandy British  

/ ˈsændɪ /

adjective

1. consisting of, containing, or covered with sand

2. (esp of hair) reddish-yellow

3. resembling sand in texture

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Other Word Forms

• sandiness noun

Etymology

Origin of sandy

before 1000; Middle English; Old English sandig. See sand, -y ¹

Explanation

Something that looks like sand, feels like sand, or is covered in sand is sandy. A sandy beach is lovely; a sandy bed is just uncomfortable. If your dog tracks sand indoors and spreads it all over the place, you've got a sandy house. If your sister's hair is the brownish color of sand, you can describe it as sandy too. And if you spill your ingredients when you're making a cake, you might realize that sugar and flour both look a little sandy when they're on the floor. Sandy comes from the Old English sandig, "of the nature of sand."

Example Sentences

It was a small place, crisscrossed with dirt roads that strung together a hundred-odd weathered brick houses hunched up on sandy soil.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Sometimes seasoned simply with salt and pepper, sometimes coated in Shake ’n Bake, that sandy, paprika-tinged breadcrumb mix that crisped into something approximating a crust.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

Inside, the dwelling features a traditional beach cottage aesthetic, with bright white walls, exposed wooden beams, and wood flooring—ideal for preventing any sandy messes after a long day on the beach.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

This is especially important in areas where species overlap, such as open sandy regions of the lake where there are no clear physical boundaries separating habitats.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

The more I think about my sandy feet, the more I need to clean them.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller