[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/bristly/)

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# bristly

adjective (bristly, bristlier, bristliest)

«bristly» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Covered with short, stiff hairs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bristly/#m1)
2. Stiff and rough like bristles. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bristly/#m2)
3. (informal) Easily annoyed or quick to get angry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bristly/#m3)

### In the lessons

In science, hedgehogs, pigs and some caterpillars are bristly. In everyday life, Dad's chin is bristly before he shaves. In stories, a bristly old man may be grumpy.

### Examples

- Dad's chin is bristly in the morning. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bristly/#x1)
- A hedgehog's back is bristly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bristly/#x2)
- The new brush is very bristly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bristly/#x3)
- The caterpillar had bristly hairs – don't touch it! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bristly/#x4)
- The headteacher was a bit bristly today. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bristly/#x5)

### Note

Comparative bristlier, bristliest. Some bristly caterpillars cause itchy rashes.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «bristly» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bristly/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«bristly» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/bristly.html) on Mova free.