What does brushiest mean?
Brushiest is the superlative form of brushy, meaning that something has the greatest number or density of bristles and is therefore especially rough, shaggy, or difficult to smooth. It is most naturally used with animal fur, hair, feathers, and similar textures: “The brushiest part of the hedgehog's coat…” Although the word can describe an actual surface or coat, it also has a playful figurative quality when applied to unruly hair, clothing, or behavior. In British and American English, its standard pronunciation is the same: BRUSH-ee-ist, with the first syllable stressed. The word is not a separate noun and has no standard plural form; its related base forms are brushy and brushier.
adjectiveHaving the greatest number or density of bristles; roughest or shaggiest in texture.
- Having the greatest number or density of bristles; roughest or shaggiest in texture.
"The brushiest parts of the hedgehog's coat were difficult to touch."
"The brushiest parts of the hedgehog's coat were difficult to touch."
"He left the brushiest, most rebellious section of his hair completely uncombed."
Brushiest is the extreme of bristly: when a coat, beard, or animal is as rough or fuzzy as it can be.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How brushiest is actually used
This is an informal-to-neutral superlative adjective. It is especially associated with visible texture, such as fur, hair, feathers, or a hedgehog's coat, and can be used figuratively for something that looks especially unruly or difficult to tame.
Easily confused with brushiest
Bristly means covered with or having bristles, while brushiest is the superlative, meaning having the greatest number or density of them.