What is bear? Pronunciation and usage in English

bear means . Learn how to pronounce and use bear through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of bear

bearverb

/bɛː/
Definition & pronunciation of bear

The word "bear" in English has a couple of pronunciations, depending on where you are and the specific dialect. Here's a breakdown:

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (North America - US & Canada):

  • IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet): /bɛər/
  • How to say it: It sounds like "beer" but with a shorter "ee" sound. The 'r' is a very quick, barely-there 'r' sound. It almost feels like you're blending the "b" and "r" together.
  • Think of it like: "Bee-er" (but much faster)

2. The British Pronunciation:

  • IPA: /bʌər/
  • How to say it: This sounds like "boor" – as in, a kind of cattle. The 'r' is a more distinct, rolling 'r'.

Here’s a simple breakdown with audio examples you can listen to:

Key Differences to Remember:

  • The 'r' sound: This is the biggest difference. US pronunciation has a very light 'r', while British pronunciation has a more pronounced one.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from or where do you want to sound when you say "bear"?

Usage and examples with the word bear in English

Let's break down how to use the word "bear" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized by usage:

1. As a Verb (To carry or hold)

  • Basic meaning: To hold something in your arms, typically a child.
    • “I’ll bear the baby for a little while.”
    • “She bore the weight of the furniture.” (This is a slightly more formal way of saying it.)
  • To tolerate or endure: To put up with something difficult or unpleasant.
    • "I can't bear the thought of him leaving." (I can't stand the thought of him leaving.)
    • "She bore the hardships of war with great courage.”
  • To produce (fruit, seeds, etc.): To yield something.
    • “This tree bears delicious apples.”
    • “The plant bears beautiful white flowers.”

2. As a Noun (Animal)

  • The animal: A large, powerful mammal with thick fur and a prominent muzzle. This is the most common image most people have when they hear "bear."
    • “A bear wandered into the campsite.”
    • “We saw a brown bear in the mountains.”

3. As a Verb (To carry, transport - Less Common)

  • To carry something on a journey: This usage is becoming rarer, but it still exists.
    • “I bore the luggage on my back.” (More common is "carried")

4. As an Adjective (Related to bears or bearing weight)

  • Related to bears: (Less common)

    • “Bear-like” (resembling a bear) - “He had a bear-like face.”

  • Bearing weight: (More common) This describes something that supports a weight or load.

    • “The bridge bears a heavy load.”
    • “The shelf bears the weight of the books.”

5. Idiomatic Expressions (Figurative Meanings)

  • "Bear with me": To be patient with someone.
    • “Please bear with me while I explain.”
  • "To bear fruit": To produce results or achieve success.
    • “All her hard work will bear fruit eventually.”
  • "To bear arms": To carry weapons. (Often used in the context of the right to bear arms.)
    • “The Second Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms.”

Tips for Using "Bear" Correctly:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "bear" is almost always determined by the context of the sentence.
  • Synonyms: Consider using synonyms to avoid confusion if "bear" isn't the best fit. For example, instead of "bear the weight," you could say "carry," "support," or "hold."

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to do with the word "bear"? (e.g., write a story, have a conversation, understand a specific sentence)

Synonyms for the word bear

Idioms of the word bear

bear arms
(old use)to be a soldier; to fight
    bear fruit
    to have a successful result
      bear hard, heavily, severely, etc. on somebody
      (formal)to be a cause of difficulty or worry to somebody
      • Taxation bears heavily on us all.
      • The burden of the tax bore most heavily on the poor.
      bear/keep somebody/something in mind | bear/keep in mind that…
      to remember somebody/something; to remember or consider that…
      • You don't have to do anything about it now… just bear it in mind.
      bear, take, etc. the brunt of something
      to receive the main force of something unpleasant
      • Schools will bear the brunt of cuts in government spending.
      bear/give witness (to something)
      to provide evidence of the truth of something
      • The crowd of mourners at his funeral bore witness to the great affection in which he was held.
      • The ancient temples bear silent witness to the passing dynasties.
      be borne in on somebody
      (formal, especially British English)to be realized by somebody, especially after a period of time
      • It was gradually borne in on us that defeat was inevitable.
      bring something to bear (on somebody/something)
      (formal)to use energy, pressure, influence, etc. to try to achieve something or make somebody do something
      • We must bring all our energies to bear upon the task.
      • Pressure was brought to bear on us to finish the work on time.
      grin and bear it
      to accept pain or bad luck without complaining
      • There's nothing we can do about it. We'll just have to grin and bear it.
      have a (heavy) cross to bear
      to have a difficult problem that makes you worried or unhappy but that you have to deal with
      • We all have our crosses to bear.

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