bushy

IPA/ˈbʊʃi/
KK[bˈʊʃi]IPA/ˈbʊʃi/

bushy — adjective

  • bushypositive
  • bushiercomparative
  • bushiestsuperlative

1. describes hair, fur, or whiskers that grows thickly and sticks out in many direc

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describes hair, fur, or whiskers that grows thickly and sticks out in many directions rather than lying flat against the skin or body; often used for eyebrows, beards, moustaches, and animal tails.

Example

Tariq's bushy eyebrows looked like two dark caterpillars sitting above his eyes.

collocation: bushy eyebrows

After weeks without grooming, the stray dog had grown a bushy coat of tangled fur.

collocation: bushy coat / bushy fur

Common collocations
  • bushy eyebrows
  • bushy beard
  • bushy tail
  • bushy fur
  • bushy hair
  • bushy moustache
  • bushy whiskers
Synonyms
  • thick

    general term for density; less specific than 'bushy' about outward spread

  • fluffy

    implies softness and lightness; 'bushy' does not suggest softness

  • bristly

    suggests short, stiff hair; 'bushy' usually implies longer growth

  • shaggy

    suggests long, untidy hair hanging down; 'bushy' implies outward spread

Antonyms
  • thin

    opposite of thick density

  • sparse

    implies widely spaced individual hairs

Usage Note

Subject nouns are typically facial hair (eyebrows, beard, moustache), animal features (fur, tail, coat), or hair on the head. Not used for plants — see sense 2.

Common Mistakes

My hair is so bushy today — I need to brush it.' (when you mean untidy, not thick).
My hair is so messy today
I need to brush it.' — 'bushy' means thick and sticking outward, not simply untidy; use 'messy' for hair that needs brushing.

2. describes a plant, shrub, or area of vegetation that has many branches, stems, o

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes a plant, shrub, or area of vegetation that has many branches, stems, or leaves growing close together in all directions, so it looks full and rounded like a bush.

Example

In a corner of the garden grew a bushy rosemary plant attracting many bees.

collocation: bushy + plant name

Elena planted bushy lavender along her balcony edge to create a screen.

Common collocations
  • bushy shrub
  • bushy hedge
  • bushy plant
  • bushy lavender
  • bushy rosemary
  • bushy growth
  • bushy mint plant
Synonyms
  • dense

    focuses on compactness of growth; less visual than 'bushy' about rounded shape

  • leafy

    emphasises abundant leaves; 'bushy' includes branches and overall shape

  • overgrown

    suggests untidiness or neglect; 'bushy' can be well-cared-for

  • lush

    implies rich, healthy growth; 'bushy' is purely about shape and density

Antonyms
  • sparse

    opposite of dense; widely spaced branches

  • thin

    describes plants with few branches or leaves

Usage Note

Commonly describes cultivated garden plants (lavender, rosemary, mint) and intentionally trimmed hedges. Less common for wild, uncontrolled growth — 'overgrown' is preferred for that situation.

Common Mistakes

The tree became bushy after pruning' (trees are not usually described as bushy).
The shrub became bushy after pruning.
'bushy' describes dense, low-lying plants with many stems, not tall trees.

Word family

  • bush
    nounA2
  • bushiness
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five words describe hair or fur that is more than the usual amount, but each has a different focus. 'Thick' is the most general term — it simply says there are many hairs close together with no comment on texture or direction. 'Bushy' adds the idea of spreading outward in all directions, not just being dense; think of bushy eyebrows that stick out beyond the natural brow line. 'Fluffy' focuses on softness and lightness — fluffy hair feels airy, while bushy hair does not necessarily feel soft. 'Shaggy' describes long hair that hangs down in an untidy, often neglected way, whereas bushy hair spreads outward rather than hanging down. 'Bristly' means short, stiff hairs that feel rough to touch — compare a bushy beard (soft, full, spreading) with a bristly chin (short, coarse stubble). Use 'bushy' when the key visual is fullness and outward spread; use 'thick' for density alone; use 'fluffy' for softness; use 'shaggy' for long untidiness; and use 'bristly' for short rough stubble.

thick ↗bushy ↗fluffy ↗shaggybristly ↗

Etymology

Old EnglishOld FrenchEnglish

Formed in English from the noun 'bush' (a low, thickly branched plant, from Old English 'busc' or Old French 'bois') plus the adjective suffix '-y', meaning 'full of' or 'like'. Originally used of land covered with bushes (a bushy area), the word gradually came to describe anything that resembles a bush in thickness and spread — most commonly today, hair and fur.