whiskers

/ˈwɪskərz/
noun
  1. The long, stiff hairs that grow on the face of some animals, such as cats, dogs, and mice, used for sensing touch and movement.
    • A mouse uses its whiskers to feel its way through dark tunnels.
    • The dog's long whiskers brushed against my hand when it came close.
    • The cat's whiskers twitched as it sniffed the air.
  2. The hair growing on a man's face, especially on the cheeks and chin; a beard or mustache.
    • He grew whiskers during his winter camping trip to keep his face warm.
    • The pirate in the story had long, tangled whiskers.
    • Grandpa has thick gray whiskers that he trims every week.
  3. A very small amount or distance; a hair's breadth.
    • She won the race by a whisker, just one second ahead.
    • The car missed the tree by a whisker.
    • I was a whisker away from forgetting my keys this morning.