Definition

Adjective 1. Having a coat of hair that is long, thick, and untidy: Describes an animal or, less commonly, a person whose fur or hair is characterized by being long, thick, and appearing messy or poorly groomed.

Usage

This adjective is used attributively (before a noun) to describe the appearance of an animal's fur or a person's hair. It emphasizes a natural, thick, and unkempt quality. * It is typically used to describe animals like dogs, ponies, or bears. * It can be used metaphorically to describe something that has a similar rough, untidy texture.

Examples

• The children loved the shaggy-coated pony at the petting zoo.
• We were followed home by a friendly, shaggy-coated dog.
• (Metaphorical) The old armchair had a shaggy-coated fabric that was worn but comfortable.

Advanced Usage

• Descriptive Nuance: The term often carries a neutral or even endearing connotation, suggesting a rustic, natural, or hardy appearance rather than outright dirtiness. For example, a "shaggy-coated Highland cow" describes a breed characteristic.
• Comparative and Superlative Forms: While grammatically possible ("shaggier-coated," "shaggiest-coated"), these forms are very rarely used. It is more common to use alternative phrasing like "more shaggy" or "the most shaggy."

Variants and Related Words

• Shaggy (adj.): The base adjective. It can be used more broadly than "shaggy-coated" to describe anything with a long, rough, and untidy surface (e.g., a shaggy carpet, shaggy hair, a shaggy story).
• Bushy (adj.): Describes hair or fur that is thick and dense, like a bush. It implies volume but not necessarily great length or untidiness.
• Unkempt (adj.): A more general term meaning not neat or cared for; disordered. It can apply to hair, appearance, or gardens.

Synonyms

• Bushy
• Unkempt
• Tangled
• Matted
• Hirsute (formal, often for people)

Antonyms

• Sleek-coated
• Well-groomed
• Neat
• Trimmed
• Short-haired

Adjective

1. used of hair; thick and poorly groomed
   • bushy locks
   • a shaggy beard