Woolly: meaning, definitions and examples

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woolly

 

[ หˆwสŠli ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

warm clothing

consisting of or resembling wool, especially in being soft or having a thick curly appearance.

Synonyms

furry, hairy, shaggy.

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Word Description / Examples
woolly

Repeat entry, should be combined with the first entry.

furry

Used for animals or things that have a soft and thick covering of fur. Often used to describe pets or stuffed animals.

  • The kitten had a soft, furry belly.
  • She hugged her furry teddy bear tightly.
hairy

Describes something covered in hair, typically used for people or animals. This word can have a negative connotation when referring to people.

  • The gorilla's hairy arms were strong and powerful.
  • He felt self-conscious about his hairy back.
shaggy

Often describes something that is untidy or messy in appearance, with long, irregular strands of hair or fur. Can describe both people and animals, often with a rough or wild look.

  • The dog had a shaggy coat that needed brushing.
  • His shaggy hairstyle gave him a rugged look.

Examples of usage

  • a warm, woolly hat
  • a woolly jumper
Context #2 | Adjective

informal language

vague or uncertain.

Synonyms

indefinite, uncertain, vague.

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Word Description / Examples
woolly

Typically used to describe something that is unclear, confused, or lacking in sharpness; often used metaphorically. Can also refer to something that resembles wool.

  • His explanation was rather woolly and didn't help clarify the issue.
  • She bought a woolly sweater for the winter.
vague

Used when something is unclear, lacking detail, or hard to understand; often carries a slightly negative connotation.

  • The instructions he gave were very vague.
  • Her memories of the event were vague.
uncertain

Used to express doubt, ambiguity, or lack of confidence about a situation, event, or outcome.

  • The weather forecast is uncertain for the weekend.
  • She felt uncertain about her career path.
indefinite

Used when referring to something without a set limit, clear definition, or a specific endpoint; often neutral in tone.

  • The meeting has been postponed for an indefinite period of time.
  • The benefits of this policy change are still indefinite.

Examples of usage

  • he gave a woolly answer
  • the plan was still rather woolly
Context #3 | Noun

zoology

a sheep with a thick fleece.

Synonyms

ewe, ram, sheep.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
woolly

Used to describe something that is made of wool or something that is fuzzy or soft like wool. It can also refer to something that is unclear or confused.

  • She wore a woolly sweater to stay warm in the winter.
  • His explanation was a bit woolly and hard to understand.
sheep

A general term for the animal, used in both singular and plural form. It can be used in a variety of contexts, including farming, agriculture, and even metaphorically to describe people who follow others without thinking.

  • The farmer has a large flock of sheep.
  • In the story, the sheep followed each other blindly into danger.
ram

Specifically refers to a male sheep. This term is frequently used in farming contexts and breeding discussions.

  • The ram is essential for breeding on the farm.
  • They bought a new ram to improve their flock's genetics.
ewe

Specifically refers to a female sheep. This word is commonly used in farming and agricultural contexts.

  • The ewe gave birth to two healthy lambs.
  • They keep a flock of ewes for milk and wool production.

Examples of usage

  • a flock of woolly sheep
  • a woolly lamb

Translations

Translations of the word "woolly" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น lanoso

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคŠเคจ เคตเคพเคฒเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช wollig

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ berbulu

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฒะพะฒะฝัะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ weล‚nisty

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็พŠๆฏ›ใฎ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท laineux

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ lanudo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท yรผnlรผ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์–‘ํ„ธ์˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุตูˆููŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ vlnฤ›nรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ vlnitรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆฏ›่Œธ่Œธ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ volnen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ ullarkenndur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถาฏะฝะดั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ‘แƒแƒ›แƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ yunlu

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ lanudo

Etymology

The word 'woolly' originated in the 16th century, derived from the Old English word 'wull.' It was initially used to describe something made of wool, such as clothing or fabric. Over time, the term evolved to also describe things that resemble wool or have a soft, fuzzy texture. In modern usage, 'woolly' can refer to both literal woolen items and metaphorical concepts that are vague or uncertain.

See also: wool, woolen.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,376, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.