Matted-haired

Describing hair that is tangled, knotted, and often dirty, forming a dense, unmanageable mass. This condition typically arises from a lack of proper grooming, neglect, or prolonged exposure to external elements like dirt, moisture, or debris. Matted hair is often difficult, and sometimes painful, to comb or brush, and can signify poor hygiene or, in some cases, medical conditions. It can also refer to the similar state of other fibers or materials, such as animal fur or certain fabrics, where individual strands become intertwined and clumped together.

Matted-haired meaning with examples

• The shipwreck survivor, after weeks adrift at sea, emerged from the wreckage with wild, matted-haired appearance. His beard was a tangled mess, caked in salt and seaweed, making him almost unrecognizable. He looked exhausted.
• The stray dog, shivering in the alley, had a matted-haired coat from sleeping outside during the harsh winter. Its once soft fur was now a dense, knotted tangle, indicative of its struggle for survival and lack of care.
• The scarecrow in the field, exposed to the elements for months, had straw hair and a tattered outfit. Rain and wind combined to give his matted-haired appearance, which added to his eerie and lifeless demeanor.
• After a week of camping without proper facilities, my hair developed a somewhat matted-haired state. It was impossible to brush the knots and tangles out without a major struggle, reflecting my less-than-ideal grooming practices.