Meaning & use
bristly
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Covered with short, stiff hairs or fibers, making a rough texture.
Grammar: Gradable: can be used with 'very' or in the comparative 'bristlier'.
Patterns
- bristly beard
- bristly texture
The caterpillar was covered in bristly hairs.
He hadn't shaved for days, so his chin was bristly.
The brush has bristly bristles that clean well.
adjectivecomparablefigurative
Easily annoyed or defensive; reacting with irritation.
Grammar: Describes a person's manner; often used with 'become' or 'get'.
Patterns
- bristly manner
- get bristly
He gets bristly when you ask about his past.
She was bristly at the meeting, snapping at every question.
His bristly tone made it clear he didn't want to talk.
Word forms
| comparative | bristlier |
|---|---|
| superlative | bristliest |
Common combinations
- bristly beard
- His bristly beard scratched her cheek.
- bristly hair
- The dog had short, bristly hair.
- bristly texture
- The towel had a bristly texture.
- bristly personality
- Despite his bristly personality, he was kind.
Synonyms and how they differ
- rough
- Rough is a general word for an uneven surface; bristly specifically means covered with stiff short hairs.
- prickly
- Prickly often means having sharp points that hurt, while bristly is more about stiff hairs that feel scratchy.
- irritable
- Irritable means easily annoyed in general; bristly suggests a defensive, touchy reaction.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: bristly or brittle?
bristly vs brittle
Brittle means hard but easily broken; bristly means covered with stiff hairs or easily annoyed.
Practice
After not shaving for a week, his face felt ___.
Choose one answer.
The adjective 'bristly' describes the rough texture of his face. 'Bristle' is a noun or verb, 'bristled' is past tense, and 'bristling' is a participle, none of which fit after 'felt' as a describing word.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “bristly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.