bristly

/ˈbrɪsli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbrɪsli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbris-lē How to pronounce bristly (audio) ˈbri-sə-/ (ame, mw)

bristly — adjective

  • bristlypositive
  • bristliercomparative
  • bristliestsuperlative

1. covered with many small, hard hairs or points that stick out and feel rough

1.形容詞C1
釋義

covered with many small, hard hairs or points that stick out and feel rough

例句

By Sunday evening, Theo's bristly chin scratched the collar of his T-shirt.

collocation: bristly chin

The puppy's bristly fur stood up when the vacuum started roaring.

collocation: bristly fur

同義詞
  • prickly

    Often stresses the sharp feeling on your skin when you touch it, while bristly focuses on the short stiff hairs themselves.

  • hairy

    More general and neutral; it does not suggest that the hairs are short, stiff, or rough.

  • spiky

    Usually describes longer or sharper points, not a dense rough covering of short hairs.

反義詞
  • smooth

    Having an even surface without rough hairs or points sticking out.

  • soft

    Feeling gentle to the touch instead of rough and scratchy.

文法句型

bristly + noun

be + bristly

look + bristly

用法筆記

Most often used for short hair, fur, grass, or brush-like surfaces that stick out and feel rough to the touch. It is more physical and textured than hairy, which only says that something has a lot of hair.

常見錯誤

❌The glass table felt bristly.
✅The old doormat felt bristly.
💡Use bristly for surfaces with stiff hairs or points, not for a smooth hard material.

2. quick to answer in a sharp, annoyed way because you feel challenged or bothered

2.形容詞C1
釋義

quick to answer in a sharp, annoyed way because you feel challenged or bothered

例句

Charlotte gave a bristly reply when the reporter asked about the mistake.

collocation: bristly reply

After the long delay, Putri sounded bristly on the phone with support.

pattern: sounded bristly

同義詞
  • touchy

    More informal and often means upset very easily by a sensitive topic.

  • irritable

    Broader and more clinical; it can describe a mood in general, not just the sharp outward manner.

  • prickly

    Very close in meaning, but prickly often suggests a person who stays defensive more consistently.

反義詞
  • calm

    Not showing sudden anger or irritation when challenged.

  • patient

    Willing to listen or wait without reacting sharply.

文法句型

bristly + noun

sound + bristly

grow + bristly

seem + bristly

用法筆記

Often used for a person's tone, reply, or manner in a tense moment, rather than for calm everyday behavior. It suggests that irritation is showing on the surface, especially after a question, criticism, or interruption.

常見錯誤

❌My brother is bristly because he has many chores.
✅My brother sounded bristly when I mentioned his chores.
💡This sense is usually about a sharp reaction or manner, not a neutral statement about being busy.