Wiry describes someone who looks thin but is surprisingly strong and tough. A wiry person doesn't have bulging muscles, but their lean body is packed with strength and endurance. Picture a marathon runner or a rock climber: they might not look powerful at first glance, but their bodies are incredibly capable.

Just like wire, a wiry person's strength isn't about size or bulk. A wiry gymnast might flip across the balance beam with ease, while a wiry soccer player can sprint up and down the field without getting tired.

Wiry can also describe hair or fur that's stiff and springy rather than soft and smooth. A terrier might have wiry fur that feels rough and bristly when you pet it, quite different from a golden retriever's silky coat.

When you call someone wiry, you're recognizing a particular kind of strength: not the obvious, showy kind, but the durable, resilient kind that keeps going long after others have stopped.