noun
Uncommon
grizzly
GRIHZ-lee
Grizzly (noun) means a large, powerful brown bear native to North America, known scientifically as a subspecies of brown bear. Example: “Hikers were warned that a grizzly had been spotted near the trail.”
noun
1
A large, powerful brown bear native to North America, known scientifically as a subspecies of brown bear.
"Hikers were warned that a grizzly had been spotted near the trail."
How to use grizzly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large, gray-tipped brown bear found in North America, known for its size and strength.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "grisly," meaning horrifying — the two are unrelated despite sounding alike.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a grizzly bear
grizzly attack
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like grizzly.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- grizzlies
- Comparative
- grizzlier
- Superlative
- grizzliest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Hikers were warned that a _____ had been spotted near the trail.
Etymology
Related to "grizzle," an old word describing something streaked with gray — the grizzly bear gets its name from the grayish tips of its fur.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “grizzly” mean?
The word “grizzly” means a large, powerful brown bear native to North America, known scientifically as a subspecies of brown bear. In plain terms, a large, gray-tipped brown bear found in North America, known for its size and strength.
How do you pronounce “grizzly”?
“Grizzly” is pronounced GRIHZ-lee (/ˈɡɹɪzli/ in IPA).
How do you use “grizzly” in a sentence?
Here is “grizzly” used in a sentence: “Hikers were warned that a grizzly had been spotted near the trail.”
What part of speech is “grizzly”?
“Grizzly” is a noun.
Is “grizzly” a common word?
“Grizzly” is an uncommon word in modern English.
