wiry
adjective
wirier
ˈwī-rē-ər 
; wiriest
; wiriest
1
a
archaic
: made of wire
b
: resembling wire especially in form and flexibility
the wiry coat of the schnauzer
wiry stems
c
of sound
: produced by or suggestive of the vibration of wire
The violist … often let his tone go nasal and wiry.—
D. J. Henahan
D. J. Henahan2
: being lean, supple, and vigorous : sinewy
… the wiry figure of a long distance runner.—Phoenix Flame
Phoenix FlameExamples of wiry in a Sentence
a man with long, wiry arms
She was lean and wiry from years of working out.
He has dark, wiry hair.
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris James, Crowley’s head coach at the time, saw Williams’ long, wiry frame and knew his potential in the trenches.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Feb. 2026
Given his long strides and wiry frame, Rogers’ driving runs through the heart of the pitch are also a feature of his game — which is highlighted in the graphic below.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
In the summer, spider plants produce small white flowers and rafts of baby spider plants on long, wiry stalks that trail from the plant.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
In a new trailer for The Death of Robin Hood released on January 6, Jackman swaps out his clean-shaven ethos for a rugged silver fox transformation, complete with a long grizzled beard and wiry gray hair.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wiry
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Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Feb. 2026
Given his long strides and wiry frame, Rogers’ driving runs through the heart of the pitch are also a feature of his game — which is highlighted in the graphic below.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
In the summer, spider plants produce small white flowers and rafts of baby spider plants on long, wiry stalks that trail from the plant.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
In a new trailer for The Death of Robin Hood released on January 6, Jackman swaps out his clean-shaven ethos for a rugged silver fox transformation, complete with a long grizzled beard and wiry gray hair.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wiry
Cite this Entry
“Wiry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wiry. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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