bare
B2Neutral to informal; can be formal in specific contexts (e.g., 'bare minimum', 'bare bones'). The verb sense is slightly more formal.
Definition
Meaning
Not covered or clothed; exposed, without covering; minimal in extent or amount.
To reveal or uncover; to make something visible; basic or unadorned; just sufficient.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Adjective senses range from literal (uncovered) to figurative (plain, basic). The verb sense often implies a deliberate act of revealing. In informal British slang (especially in youth culture), it can mean 'a lot of' or 'very' as an intensifier, e.g., 'bare jokes' (a lot of jokes).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The intensifier/adverbial slang use ('bare' meaning 'very' or 'a lot') is predominantly British. American usage sticks closer to standard definitions.
Connotations
In both, 'bare' can imply vulnerability or starkness. The British slang use is informal, often associated with Multicultural London English.
Frequency
The literal adjective is common in both. The verb 'to bare' is slightly less common in everyday speech. The British slang intensifier is high-frequency in specific demographics.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
bare + noun (adj)bare + one's + noun (verb: reveal)lay/stand + bare (phrasal verb)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “lay bare”
- “bare one's soul”
- “bare bones”
- “with one's bare hands”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to the minimum required ('bare minimum'), basic structure ('bare bones proposal').
Academic
Describing stark conditions, basic facts, or revealing truth ('the study lays bare the mechanism').
Everyday
Describing lack of clothing/cover, basic necessities, simple facts.
Technical
In electronics, 'bare wire'; in law, 'bare trust'; in horticulture, 'bare root'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He bared his teeth in a grimace.
- The report bared the shocking truth.
- She bared her arm to show the tattoo.
American English
- He bared his soul during the therapy session.
- The investigation bared systemic failures.
- The dog bared its teeth and growled.
adverb
British English
- He was bare tired after the match. (slang)
- There's bare people here tonight. (slang)
American English
- (Standard adverbial use is rare; 'barely' is the standard adverb.)
adjective
British English
- The trees were bare in winter.
- He worked it out with his bare hands.
- We only have the bare essentials.
- That's bare jokes, man! (slang)
American English
- The walls were bare and white.
- She stood on the bare floorboards.
- Give me the bare facts of the case.
- He survived on the bare minimum.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby has bare feet.
- The tree has no leaves; it is bare.
- He painted the bare wall.
- She told the bare truth without any details.
- They survived with just the bare essentials.
- The room looked bare without any furniture.
- The documentary laid bare the corruption within the government.
- He bared his forearm to receive the vaccination.
- The contract outlined the bare bones of the agreement.
- Her testimony bared a profound vulnerability that moved the jury.
- The analysis stripped the argument down to its bare logical structure.
- The landscape was a bare, windswept plateau, devoid of shelter.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A BEAR with no fur is BARE.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING IS SEEING (to bare something is to make it visible/known). SIMPLICITY/TRUTH IS NAKEDNESS.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'бор' (pine forest). The adjective 'bare' is чаще 'голый', 'открытый', not 'пустой' (empty). The verb 'to bare' is 'обнажать', 'раскрывать', not 'оголять' (which is 'to strip'). Beware of false friend 'баре' (plural of 'baron' in Russian).
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'bare' (adj/verb) with 'bear' (animal/verb to carry). Misspelling: 'bear minimum'. Using the British slang intensifier in formal or American contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In informal British slang, 'bare' can mean:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Bare' is primarily an adjective meaning uncovered or a verb meaning to reveal. 'Bear' is primarily a noun (the animal) or a verb meaning to carry, endure, or give birth to. They are homophones.
In standard English, 'barely' is the adverb. However, in informal British slang (Multicultural London English), 'bare' is used as an intensifying adverb meaning 'very' or 'a lot of'.
Yes, it can imply honesty, simplicity, or efficiency (e.g., 'bare facts', 'bare essentials', 'bare-bones design'). It can also imply strength ('with his bare hands'). Context is key.
No, that is a common misspelling. The correct phrase is 'bear with me', meaning 'be patient with me'. 'Bare with me' would incorrectly mean 'get naked with me'.