beas: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1The core animal meaning is neutral. The figurative senses ('brutal person', 'difficult thing') are informal, often used emotively.
Quick answer
What does “beas” mean?
A large, dangerous, or wild animal, especially a four-legged mammal.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, dangerous, or wild animal, especially a four-legged mammal.
Used figuratively for a cruel, brutal, or unpleasant person; also, an extremely difficult or unpleasant situation or thing. Can describe a powerful machine or vehicle. Archaically, any animal other than a human.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning. The slang term 'the beast' for a large, impressive vehicle is slightly more common in American English.
Connotations
Equally negative when describing a person in both varieties. The phrase 'beast mode' (extreme effort/aggression) originated in US sports slang.
Frequency
Comparably frequent. The idiom 'beast of burden' (working animal) is standard in both.
Grammar
How to Use “beas” in a Sentence
The [adjective] beast [verb]...It is a beast of a [noun]He is a beast (at/of something)To work/play like a beastVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “beas” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Slang, rare) To 'beast' someone means to punish or treat them harshly, especially in military contexts.
American English
- (Slang) To 'beast' an exam means to perform exceptionally well on it through great effort.
adverb
British English
- (Rare, non-standard) Not typically used.
American English
- (Rare, non-standard) Not typically used.
adjective
British English
- (Informal) 'That hill is beast!' meaning extremely challenging.
American English
- (Slang) 'He's a beast quarterback' meaning incredibly strong or skilled.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Informal: 'The new sales target is a real beast.' Can metaphorically refer to a difficult project or competitor.
Academic
Used in literature (e.g., 'the beast' in Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'), biology (archaic/poetic for animal), and theology (the Beast from Revelation).
Everyday
Describing a large dog, a difficult task ('cleaning the garage was a beast'), or jokingly a messy eater.
Technical
Rare in formal technical contexts except in fantasy gaming (describing monster types) or mechanics (slang for a powerful engine).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “beas”
- Using 'beast' in formal writing to mean 'animal' (use 'animal'). Confusing 'beast' (negative/wild) with 'best' (superlative). Incorrect: 'He is a beast footballer.' Correct: 'He is a beast *of* a footballer' or 'He is a beast on the football field.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, in modern informal slang (especially in sports or gaming), 'beast' can be a compliment meaning extremely strong, skilled, or effective. Context is key.
A 'beast' is typically a large, wild animal or a brutish person. A 'monster' more strongly implies something unnatural, frightening, and often imaginary or grotesque. 'Monster' is more common for fictional creatures.
It's unusual. 'Beast' typically connotes a large, terrestrial mammal. Using it for an insect is usually poetic or humorous exaggeration (e.g., 'Look at the beast of a spider!').
The literal biological sense is somewhat archaic or literary in formal contexts ('the beasts of the field'). In modern formal writing, 'animal' is preferred. All figurative uses are informal.
A large, dangerous, or wild animal, especially a four-legged mammal.
Beas: in British English it is pronounced /biːst/, and in American English it is pronounced /biːst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “beast of burden”
- “beauty and the beast”
- “the beast within”
- “a beast of a job/problem”
- “in beast mode”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BEAST at a FEAST, eating massively and messily.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRUELTY / DIFFICULTY IS A WILD ANIMAL (e.g., 'the beast of war', 'the beast of inflation').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'beast' used in a positive, informal way?