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bear Meaning & Definition

Phonetic codes: B EH1 R

What Does Bear Mean?

As a noun, bear means A large omnivorous mammal, related to the dog and raccoon, having shaggy hair, a very small tail, and flat feet; a member of family Ursidae. It can also mean A rough, unmannerly, uncouth person. As a verb, it means To endeavour to depress the price of, or prices in. As an adjective, it means (investments) Characterized by declining prices in securities markets or by belief that the prices will fall.

Word Facts for Bear

Part of speechnoun, verb, adjective
Synonymsyield, abide and conduct
Antonymsbull and twink

Bear Definition (Noun)

  1. A large omnivorous mammal, related to the dog and raccoon, having shaggy hair, a very small tail, and flat feet; a member of family Ursidae.
  2. A rough, unmannerly, uncouth person.
  3. An investor who sells commodities, securities or futures in anticipation of a fall in prices.
  4. A state policeman (short for smokey bear).
  5. A large, hairy man, especially one who is homosexual.
  6. A portable punching machine.
  7. A block covered with coarse matting, used to scour the deck.
  8. The fifteenth Lenormand card.
  9. Something difficult or tiresome; a burden or chore.

    That window can be a bear to open.

Bear as a Verb

  1. To endeavour to depress the price of, or prices in.

    to bear a railroad stock

Bear as an Adjective

  1. (investments) Characterized by declining prices in securities markets or by belief that the prices will fall.

    The great bear market starting in 1929 scared a whole generation of investors.

Verb

  1. To carry or convey, literally or figuratively.

    Judging from the look on his face, he wasn't bearing good news.

  2. To support, sustain, or endure.
  3. To support, keep up, or maintain.
  4. To press or impinge upon.
  5. To produce, yield, give birth to.
  6. (originally nautical) To be, or head, in a specific direction or azimuth (from somewhere).

    By my readings, we're bearing due south, so we should turn about ten degrees east.

  7. To gain or win.

Noun

  1. Barley, especially four-rowed barley or six-rowed barley.

Noun

  1. A pillowcase; a fabric case or covering as for a pillow.

Synonyms of Bear

Bear synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Bear

Bear in a Sentence

That window can be a bear to open.

to bear a railroad stock

The great bear market starting in 1929 scared a whole generation of investors.

Judging from the look on his face, he wasn't bearing good news.

By my readings, we're bearing due south, so we should turn about ten degrees east.

Words That Rhyme With Bear

Bear: Your Questions Answered

Is bear a noun or a verb?

Bear is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb and an adjective.

What is another word for bear?

Close synonyms of bear are yield, abide and conduct. See the full list of bear synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of bear?

Words opposite in meaning to bear are bull and twink.

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