wiry

[wahyuhr-ee]

adjective

wirier, wiriest 

1. made of wire.

2. in the form of wire.

3. resembling wire, as in form, stiffness, etc..

   wiry grass.

4. lean and sinew.

   a wiry little person.

5. produced by or resembling the sound of a vibrating wire.

   wiry tones.

wiry

/ ˈwaɪərɪ /

adjective

1. (of people or animals) slender but strong in constitution

2. made of or resembling wire, esp in stiffness

   wiry hair

3. (of a sound) produced by or as if by a vibrating wire

Other Word Forms

• wiriness noun
• wirily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of wiry¹

First recorded in 1580–90; wire + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Gretzky had scored at a devastating clip for an absurdly long time—20 NHL seasons that saw him turn from a wiry 18-year-old into the league’s elder statesman.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A small, wiry, pockmarked young man with curly hair and a hard-to-place accent, he loitered in the area for hours, asking kitchen workers if his target would be coming that way.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Footage shows Charney as a wiry, supercharged figure who frequently berated his staff as “losers” and worse.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As we get to know the movie’s wiry, chaotic young protagonist, engagingly portrayed by first-time actor Faveau, we expect he’ll get a life education the hard way, as these stories usually offer up.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I stopped thinking and I stopped having a connection with my brain,” explained Mr. Leleu, his short, wiry body weaving from side to side as he spoke.

Read more on New York Times

Related Words

• agile 
• athletic 
• limber 
• muscular 
• sinewy 
• strapping 
• supple