shaggy-haired

1 3.7

Long, thick hair that looks messy and not neat

adjective
/ˈʃæɡi hɛrd/

: peludo

The shaggy-haired dog ran through the park, its long fur blowing in the wind.
a shaggy-haired man
a shaggy-haired young

Examples

In the movie, the shaggy-haired character was known for his carefree attitude and wild appearance.
Chuck, shaggy-haired, mustached, and built like a tank, was cradling his right arm and cursing over and over.

Fiction book (1992)
Tall, blond, shaggy-haired, blue-eyed, he was dressed only in muscles and a pair of black spandex cyclist's shorts.

Fiction book (1991)
The artist's shaggy-haired portrait captured the essence of his free-spirited lifestyle.

Synonyms

bushy

vsshaggy-haired

22 1.3

Thick and full, spreading like a small bush, often for hair or tails

overlaps in fullness but stresses long, poorly groomed strands rather than spread

shaggy

vsshaggy-haired

22 3.2

With long, thick, untidy hair, fur, or material that looks rough

has the same long, thick untidy hair but as a compound adjective for people

long-haired

vsshaggy-haired

13 1.9

Having long hair

adds that the long hair is also thick and untidy

uncombed

vsshaggy-haired

2 3.0

Hair that looks messy because it has not been brushed

implies general long, thick untidiness rather than only lack of combing

shaggy-coated

vsshaggy-haired

4.5

Having long, thick, untidy fur or hair that needs brushing

means the same appearance but used specifically as a hyphenated person descriptor

shagged

vsshaggy-haired

7.9

Covered with long loose tufts that make the surface look rough

focuses more on human hair described as long and poorly groomed

moppy

vsshaggy-haired

Informal

7.2

Thick, messy hair or fur that looks like a mop

is similar but stresses thickness and long length rather than mop-like shape

shock-headed

vsshaggy-haired

8.0

A person who has thick, untidy hair that sticks up

is similar but emphasizes longness and poor grooming rather than just bushiness

bed-headed

vsshaggy-haired

Informal

6.7

Having messy hair after you wake up

covers ongoing long, thick poor grooming rather than temporary bed messiness

thick-haired

vsshaggy-haired

2.3

Having a lot of hair on the head or body

adds that this abundance appears untidy and poorly groomed

woolly-haired

vsshaggy-haired

5.1

Having thick, curly or matted hair like wool

shares density but highlights long untidiness rather than wool-like curliness

doddy

vsshaggy-haired

9.9

Covered in small tufts of wool that make it look shaggy

is similar visually but focuses on long untidy hair specifically

rough-haired

vsshaggy-haired

3.7

Having hair that does not feel smooth when you touch it

adds that this coarse hair is also long and untidy in appearance

coarse-haired

vsshaggy-haired

5.1

Has thick, rough fur or a stiff coat

keeps texture but stresses long length and messy grooming

coarse-furred

vsshaggy-haired

6.6

Having rough fur that does not feel soft

applies the same roughness but also indicates long, untidy grooming

wire-haired

vsshaggy-haired

4.2

With stiff, coarse hair often describing dogs

differs by being softer about texture and more about long untidy look

Antonyms

sleek

20 3.7

Having a neat, stylish appearance from careful grooming

smooth-haired

3.2

Having short, flat hair that feels smooth to the touch

How Untidy

shaggy-haired

1 3.7

matted

1 5.3

tousled

5 5.3

trimmed

1.0

well-groomed

9 3.5

Surface Forms

shaggy-haired positive

Morphology

shaggy-haired = shaggy + hair (transparent) = shaggy + hair + ed

The adjective is a straightforward compound where 'shaggy' modifies 'hair' with the adjectival '-ed' forming 'having shaggy hair', which B1 learners can derive.

Etymology

Shaggy-haired comes from shag meaning 'rough, thick hair' and the ending -y meaning 'full of'. A helpful image is a shag carpet with long, messy fibers, so shaggy-haired means having thick, long, untidy hair.