different between woolly vs bristly

English

Alternative forms

• wooly (chiefly used in the US, but less common than woolly even there)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?w?li/
• Rhymes: -?li

Etymology 1

From Middle English wolly, equivalent to wool +? -y. Cognate with Saterland Frisian wullich (“woolly”), Dutch wollig (“woolly”), German wollig (“woolly”), Swedish ullig (“woolly”).

Adjective

woolly (comparative woollier, superlative woolliest)

1. Made of wool.

2. Having a thick, soft texture, as if made of wool.
3. (figuratively, of thinking, principles, etc.) Based on emotions rather than logic.

4. (figuratively) Unclear, fuzzy, hazy, cloudy.
5. (obsolete) Clothed in wool.

Derived terms

• woolly hat
• woolly-headed, wooly-headed
• woolly-minded (British) and (US), wooly-minded (US)

Translations

Noun

woolly (plural woollies)

1. (informal) A sweater or similar garment made of wool.
2. (US, slang) A sheep not yet shorn.
3. A piece of woolwork.

Etymology 2

From woolyback.

Noun

woolly (plural woollies)

1. (Liverpudlian slang, derogatory) A woolly back; someone from the area around Liverpool, not from Liverpool itself.

English

Alternative forms

• brisly

Etymology

From Middle English bristli, brustly, equivalent to bristle +? -y.

Adjective

bristly (comparative bristlier, superlative bristliest)

1. Covered with bristles.
2. Easily antagonized; irascible; prone to bristling.

Translations

Anagrams

• trilbys