bear
HighNeutral (works in formal, informal, and literary contexts depending on sense)
Definition
Meaning
To carry, support, or endure something physically or emotionally; to give birth to; a large omnivorous mammal.
To accept responsibility for consequences; to show evidence of something; to tolerate or withstand hardship; to maintain a direction; to produce yield.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Has distinct, unrelated meanings as a noun (animal) and verb (carry/endure). The verb forms are irregular (bear, bore, borne). 'Borne' is used for most senses; 'born' is used specifically for passive birth ('was born').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Slight preference in UK for 'bear' in 'bear left/right' (direction). In US, 'carry' is often substituted for physical carrying.
Connotations
Similar in both. The verb conveys heaviness, burden, or stoic endurance.
Frequency
The animal sense is equally common. The verb is moderately common and slightly more formal than synonyms like 'carry' or 'stand'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
bear somethingbear to do somethingbear doing somethingbear somebody somethingbear with somebodyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “grin and bear it”
- “bear the palm”
- “loaded for bear”
- “like a bear with a sore head”
- “bear garden”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company cannot bear the additional costs. Profits began to bear fruit in Q3.
Academic
The evidence must bear scrutiny. The theory cannot bear the weight of recent findings.
Everyday
I can't bear this noise anymore. Please bear with me for a moment.
Technical
The beam is designed to bear a load of 500kg. The soil bears traces of arsenic.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The old bridge cannot bear the weight of lorries.
- He bore the news with great dignity.
- Bear left at the roundabout.
American English
- The warranty doesn't bear the cost of shipping.
- She couldn't bear to watch.
- The investigation bore out his claims.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A (not used as adjective)
American English
- N/A (not used as adjective)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I saw a bear at the zoo.
- I can't bear loud music.
- Bear right after the traffic lights.
- The tree will bear fruit next year.
- You must bear the consequences of your actions.
- His story bears no relation to the truth.
- The column is designed to bear immense compressive loads.
- Her face bore the marks of a difficult life.
- The plan finally bore fruit after years of work.
- The argument does not bear close examination.
- She bore him no ill will despite their past disagreements.
- The document bears the signature of the king himself.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BEAR carrying a heavy burden on its back, having to BEAR it.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENDURANCE IS CARRYING A WEIGHT (He bore his illness bravely). RESPONSIBILITY IS A BURDEN (She bears the responsibility).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'bare' (adj. = голый). 'Bear' is not 'борода' (beard). The verb 'bear' is broader than 'нести' – it includes emotional endurance ('терпеть').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'born' instead of 'borne' for active sense ('She has borne three children'). Confusing 'bear' (v) with 'bare' (v/adj). Using 'bear' for light, trivial objects instead of 'carry'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'bear' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Born' is used only for passive birth (I was born in London). 'Borne' is the past participle for all other senses (She has borne three children, The cost was borne by the company).
It's neutral but slightly literary. In casual speech, 'I can't stand it' is more common.
Yes, but it's formal/archaic. 'She bore a son' is correct but less common than 'She gave birth to a son.'
Yes. It's a fixed polite phrase asking someone to endure a minor inconvenience or wait patiently.