What does whiskery mean?
Whiskery is an uncommon adjective meaning that someone or something has whiskers or suggests their presence. It is especially associated with a beard or moustache whose individual hairs are conspicuous, although it can also characterize a face. The word often conveys a slightly old-fashioned, picturesque, or faintly eccentric quality, as in the phrase “whiskery face,” rather than simply reporting that a person has facial hair. Whiskery can therefore be more evocative than the plainer words bearded or whiskered. It occurs in British and American English but is not common in everyday conversation. Its distinctive sound and meaning are best understood through its relationship to whisker: it focuses attention not merely on hair in general, but on the fine or projecting hairs traditionally called whiskers.
adjectiveHaving or suggesting whiskers; especially used of a beard, moustache, or face with conspicuous individual hairs.
- Having or suggesting whiskers, especially a conspicuous beard or moustache.
"In the lamplight, his whiskery face looked like an old engraving."
"The old sailor had a whiskery face and a knowing smile."
"A neatly trimmed beard gave him a distinctly whiskery appearance."
Whiskery is to whiskers what hairy is to hair, but it is far more particular.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
How whiskery is actually used
Whiskery is relatively uncommon and has a descriptive, sometimes mildly literary or whimsical tone. It normally suggests visible facial hair rather than serving as a general term for being hairy.
Easily confused with whiskery
A whisker is an individual hair, especially one on the face of a person or animal, whereas whiskery is an adjective describing someone or something that has or suggests whiskers.