bear
beh-uh
Bear (noun) means a large, heavily built mammal with thick fur, found across much of the world, ranging from mostly plant-eating to fully carnivorous species. Example: “We saw a brown bear catching fish in the stream from a safe distance.”
noun
1
A large, heavily built mammal with thick fur, found across much of the world, ranging from mostly plant-eating to fully carnivorous species.
"We saw a brown bear catching fish in the stream from a safe distance."
"A grizzly bear wandered along the riverbank looking for salmon."
"Polar bears rely almost entirely on seals for food."
2
An investor who expects prices to fall and sells accordingly; used as an adjective for a falling market.
"Bears dominated the stock market during the downturn."
"It was a bear market for most of the year."
"The bear sold his shares quickly because he expected prices to drop."
verb
1
To carry, support, or endure something.
"I can't bear the noise from the building site next door any longer."
"The old bridge can no longer bear heavy traffic."
"She had to bear the pain until the medicine arrived."
2
To give birth to (a child), or to produce (fruit, etc.).
"Apple trees in our garden bear plenty of fruit if the spring is mild."
"She bore three children in five years."
"The old apple tree still bears fruit every autumn."
How to use bear
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMainly the large forest animal, but also "to carry/endure" as a verb, and financial slang for someone betting prices will fall.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "bear" (the verb, "to carry/endure," past tense "bore") with "bare" (meaning "uncovered" or "empty") — they sound identical but are unrelated.
Common pairings
bear the weight
bear in mind
bear market
grizzly bear
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Word forms
- Plural
- bears
- Third person singular
- bears
- Past tense
- beared, bore, bare, borne, born
- Archaic forms
- bearest, borest, barest, beareth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We saw a brown _____ catching fish in the stream from a safe distance.
Etymology
From Old English bera, probably originally an epithet meaning "the brown one" — some scholars think ancient Germanic peoples avoided using the animal's real name out of superstition.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for bear
See all rhymes for bear →Frequently asked questions
What does “bear” mean?
The word “bear” means a large, heavily built mammal with thick fur, found across much of the world, ranging from mostly plant-eating to fully carnivorous species. In plain terms, mainly the large forest animal, but also "to carry/endure" as a verb, and financial slang for someone betting prices will fall.
How do you pronounce “bear”?
“Bear” is pronounced beh-uh (/bɛɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bear” in a sentence?
Here is “bear” used in a sentence: “A grizzly bear wandered along the riverbank looking for salmon.”
What is another word for “bear”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bear” include bruin and ursid.
What part of speech is “bear”?
Depending on how it is used, “bear” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bear” come from?
The word “bear” comes from Old English. From Old English bera, probably originally an epithet meaning "the brown one" — some scholars think ancient Germanic peoples avoided using the animal's real name out of superstition.
Is “bear” a common word?
“Bear” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “bear” have?
“Bear” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, heavily built mammal with thick fur, found across much of the world, ranging from mostly plant-eating to fully carnivorous species.
What is the difference between bear and bare?
They sound identical but differ completely in meaning. A bear is the large furry mammal; as a verb, to bear means to carry or endure. Bare means uncovered or empty, as in bare feet, or to expose something. If you mean the animal, it is always spelt bear.
What are the types of bears?
There are eight living species, including the brown bear (which covers the grizzly), the American black bear, the polar bear, the giant panda, the sun bear, the sloth bear, the Asiatic black bear, and the spectacled bear. They vary widely in size, diet, and the habitats they occupy.
Are bears carnivores or herbivores?
Most bears are omnivores, eating both plants and animals, though the balance varies by species. The polar bear is almost entirely carnivorous, living on seals, while the giant panda feeds mainly on bamboo. Between these extremes, brown and black bears eat berries, roots, fish, insects, and meat as available.
Is a panda a bear?
Yes. The giant panda is a true member of the bear family, despite its unusual bamboo diet and distinctive markings. This was debated for many years, but genetic evidence confirmed it as a bear. The unrelated red panda, by contrast, is not a bear and belongs to its own family.
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