# shaggy

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈʃæɡi/ · frequency rank #23,096

## Definitions
1. Having long, thick, and uncombed hair, fur or wool.
2. Having a surface like shaggy hair; with a rough nap.
3. Confused, muddled.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Old English sċeacga
Middle English *schagge
English shag
Proto-Indo-European *-kos
Proto-Germanic *-gaz
Proto-West Germanic *-g
Old English -iġ
Middle English -y
English -y
English shaggy
From shag + -y.

## Easily confused with
- **shay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaggy-vs-shay)
- **shaky** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaggy-vs-shaky)
- **soggy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaggy-vs-soggy)
- **Shang** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaggy-vs-shang)
- **shanty** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaggy-vs-shanty)
- **shag** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shag-vs-shaggy)
- **shady** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shady-vs-shaggy)
- **saggy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/saggy-vs-shaggy)
- **shabby** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shabby-vs-shaggy)

## Common misspellings (8)
`hsaggy`, `sahggy`, `shaggyy`, `shagy`, `shagyg`, `shgagy`, `shhaggy`, `sshaggy`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/shaggy