View source for Bear

{{wikipedia}}<br />{{BNC1000HW}}

=== Pronunciation ===
* {{UK}} {{IPA|/bɛə/}}, {{SAMPA|/bE@/}}
* {{US}} {{IPA|/bɛɚ/}}, {{SAMPA|/bE@r/}}
* {{audio|en-us-bear.ogg|US}}
* {{hmp|bare}}

== Noun ==
{{noun}}
# {{countable}} A '''bear''' is a big animal with a short [[tail]]. They either eat only [[meat]] or meat and [[plant]]s. There are many different types of '''bears''', for example brown '''bears''' and polar '''bears'''.
#: ''Polar '''bears''' are white.''
#: ''Grizzly '''bears''' live in [[North America]].''
# {{figuratively}} Someone who acts [[rough]] and lacks [[manners]] could be called a '''bear'''.
# {{slang}} {{countable}} A large, hairy, [[homosexual]] man is called a '''bear'''.
<gallery>
File:Brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) running.jpg|A brown '''bear'''
File:Black bear Yellowstone NP 2008.jpg|A black '''bear'''
File:Polar Bear - Buffalo Zoo.jpg|A polar '''bear'''
</gallery>

== Verb ==
{{verb2|bear|bears|bore|born|bearing}}
{{verb2|bear|bears|bore|borne|bearing}}
# {{transitive}} If <math>x</math> '''bears''' <math>y</math>, <math>x</math> [[hold]]s <math>y</math> up.
#: ''This [[wall]] '''bears''' half the weight of the [[roof]].''
#: ''The [[chieftain]] '''bears''' a [[spear]].''
# {{transitive}} If someone bears something bad, they [[accept]] it or [[deal]] with it.
#: ''He has to '''bear''' [[insult]]s because of his [[appearance]].''
#: ''I cannot '''bear''' looking at the news.''
#: ''The pain is so bad, I can [[hardly]] '''bear''' it.''
# {{transitive}} {{usually passive}} If a baby is '''born''', it comes out of its mother.
#: ''The woman '''bore''' a little boy.''
#: ''He was '''born''' on October 22, 1983.''
# {{transitive}} {{usually passive}} If something is '''born''', it is newly [[create]]d.
#: ''This idea was '''born''' out of boredom.''
# {{transitive}} If something '''bears''' fruit, flowers, etc., it grows them.
#: ''This apple tree is 100 years old, it does not '''bear''' apples anymore.''
# {{transitive}} If <math>x</math> '''bears''' <math>y</math>, <math>x</math> [[hold]]s <math>y</math> on the [[surface]].
#: ''Peter '''bears''' a small scar on his [[forehead]].''
#: ''The [[flag]] '''bore''' a white [[lion]].''
#: ''The sign '''bears''' the words "Hey there!".''

=== Synonyms ===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
* [[have]]
* [[take]]
* [[show]]
* [[bring]]
* [[move]]
* [[hold]]
{{col-break}}
* [[create]]
* [[support]]
* [[stand]]
* [[allow]]
* [[develop]]
* [[produce]]
{{col-break}}
* [[carry]]
* [[accept]]
* [[assume]]
* [[present]]
* [[suffer]]
{{col-end}}

=== Related words ===
* [[bearing]]
* [[bearable]]
* [[unbearable]]
* [[reborn]]
* [[unborn]]
* [[borne]]
* [[bearer]]
* [[unbearably]]
* [[bearably]]

[[Category:Mammals]]