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bear

A large, heavy mammal of the family Ursidae, typically with thick fur and a short tail. / To carry or support the weight of something. / To endure or tolerate a difficult situation, person, or feeling. / To produce or yield fruit, flowers, or offspring. / To move or extend in a specific direction.

/bɛə(ɹ)/

Transitive VerbIntransitive Verb
pl: bearspast: borepp: borneing: bearing

As a noun, the word evokes images of raw power, solitude, and wildness. It is neutral in biological contexts but often carries a connotation of danger or unpredictability in storytelling.

As a verb, there is a strong theme of 'carrying'—whether that weight is physical (a bridge), emotional (grief), or biological (fruit). The sense of endurance is often heavy and strained, suggesting a struggle against a burden rather than easy acceptance.

In directional contexts, it suggests a gradual shift rather than a sharp turn, implying a fluid movement along a path.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon; David is in a high-stress board meeting while Eleanor is at home.
Eleanor Smith

DAVID THE GARDEN GATE IS BROKEN I CANT BEAR THE SIGHT OF IT

DAVID THE GARDEN GATE IS BROKEN I CANT BEAR THE SIGHT OF IT

Eleanor Smith
David Smith
David Smith

Mom, please. I'm literally in the middle of a deep dive with the VPs.

Mom, please. I'm literally in the middle of a deep dive with the VPs.

Meanings

Noun

A large, heavy mammal of the family Ursidae, typically with thick fur and a short tail.

The grizzly bear caught a salmon from the river.

Transitive Verb

To carry or support the weight of something.

The old bridge can no longer bear the weight of heavy trucks.

Transitive Verb

To endure or tolerate a difficult situation, person, or feeling.

I cannot bear the thought of losing my best friend.

Transitive Verb

To produce or yield fruit, flowers, or offspring.

This apple tree will bear fruit in early autumn.

Intransitive Verb

To move or extend in a specific direction.

When you reach the fork in the road, bear right.

Examples

I see a brown bear.

The bear is big.

Bears like honey.

The pillars bear the roof.

Please bear left at the sign.

The cherry tree will bear blossoms soon.

School Life

I cannot bear his arrogance any longer.

Romance

The ancient walls bear the scars of war.

History
Business

I humbly ask you to bear with me.

Apology

Few species can bear such extreme temperatures.

Trivia

Etymology

Derived from two distinct roots: the noun comes from Old English bera, originating from a Proto-Germanic root meaning the brown one, while the verb stems from Old English beran, meaning to carry or bring, rooted in the Proto-Indo-European base bher-.

Related Words

Last Updated: May 2026Report an Error