different between woolly vs shaggy

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

Etymology

shag +? -y

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??æ?i/

  Rhymes: -æ?i

Adjective

shaggy (comparative shaggier, superlative shaggiest)

1. With long, thick, and uncombed hair, fur or wool.
   • 1900, L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

     They waited until Dorothy awoke the next morning. The little girl was quite frightened when she saw the great pile of shaggy wolves, but the Tin Woodman told her all. She thanked him for saving them and sat down to breakfast, after which they started again upon their journey.

2. With a surface like shaggy hair; rough nap.

Derived terms

• shaggy dog story

Translations