Definition of Bear (meaning 1 of 3 — noun)
Quick Meaning of Bear
a large furry animal that lives in forests or mountains; eats meat and plants
Detailed Definition of Bear
a large wild animal with thick fur, four legs, and sharp claws
How to Pronounce Bear
Stress pattern: O (1-syllable word).
Tip: Pronounced /beər/ like 'air' with a /b/. Rhymes with 'care', 'share', 'wear'. This is the animal pronunciation.
Watch out: Learners sometimes confuse it with 'bare' /beər/, which sounds identical but has a different meaning. Context clarifies which word.
Other Meanings of Bear
“Bear” has 3 distinct meanings in English. You’re viewing meaning #1; here are the other 2:
#2 Bear as a verb
to carry or hold something, often something heavy or difficult
bear the cost
#3 Bear as a verb
to accept or suffer through something difficult without complaining; to tolerate
bear the pain
Origin and Etymology of Bear
Old English 'bera', from Proto-Germanic *beran; possibly related to 'brown' or 'barren' (harsh/wild)
How to Use Bear in a Sentence
Each example shows “bear” in the meaning “a large furry animal that lives in forests…”, with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“A brown bear was spotted near the mountain forest.”
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“Teddy bears are popular stuffed toys for children.”
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“The polar bear lives in arctic regions with ice and snow.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Bear
Common Synonyms for Bear
Smart Synonyms for Bear — When to Use Each
- animal
- generic term for any living creature that is
- beast
- in literature or formal contexts to emphasize the
Common Collocations with Bear
These phrases pair with “bear” in everyday English:
- teddy bear
- grizzly bear
- polar bear
- bear hunt
- bear cub
Common Mistakes When Using Bear
Even fluent speakers slip up with “bear”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: I saw three bear in the forest.
- ✓ Correct: I saw three bears in the forest.
- Why: Plural of 'bear' is 'bears' with regular '-s' ending. Numbers over one always need plural form.
- ✗ Wrong: The bare animal was in the forest.
- ✓ Correct: The bear animal was in the forest.
- Why: 'Bear' = the animal. 'Bare' = naked. Even though they sound the same, they have different meanings and spellings.
Words Confused With Bear
- Bear vs Bare: 'Bare' = naked or uncovered. 'Bear' = the animal or verb meaning to carry/tolerate. Different pronunciations help distinguish them. Compare →
Other Forms of Bear
Frequently Asked Questions About Bear
What is the meaning of "Bear"?
a large furry animal that lives in forests or mountains; eats meat and plants
How do you pronounce "Bear"?
The IPA is /beər/. Pronounced /beər/ like 'air' with a /b/. Rhymes with 'care', 'share', 'wear'. This is the animal pronunciation.
What part of speech is "Bear"?
"Bear" is a noun at A2 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Bear"?
Common synonyms include beast, animal, creature.
How do you use "Bear" in a sentence?
For example: "A brown bear was spotted near the mountain forest."