grizzly bear: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal in biological contexts; informal in metaphorical use.
Quick answer
What does “grizzly bear” mean?
A large, powerful subspecies of brown bear native to North America, characterized by silver-tipped or grizzled fur.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, powerful subspecies of brown bear native to North America, characterized by silver-tipped or grizzled fur.
A symbol of wilderness, raw power, and potential danger; often used metaphorically to describe something or someone formidable, unpredictable, or fearsome.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in both varieties to refer to the animal. However, British English speakers are less likely to encounter the term in everyday geography or news.
Connotations
In American English, strong associations with the American West, national parks (Yellowstone), and wilderness. In British English, it is more of a 'zoo animal' or abstract symbol of wild America.
Frequency
Substantially more frequent in American English due to the animal's habitat and cultural presence.
Grammar
How to Use “grizzly bear” in a Sentence
The grizzly bear [verb]...A grizzly bear was spotted [location]to be mauled by a grizzly bearVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grizzly bear” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The wildlife expert advised on how to behave if one were to grizzly-bear-watch safely. (compound modifier)
American English
- He talked about the time he had to grizzly-proof his campsite. (compound verb)
adjective
British English
- The documentary featured grizzly bear behaviour in Alaska.
American English
- We entered grizzly country and had to carry bear spray.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in tourism or wildlife management: 'Grizzly bear viewing is a major eco-tourism draw.'
Academic
Common in biology, ecology, conservation studies: 'The grizzly bear population has shown significant recovery.'
Everyday
Used in news about wildlife encounters, documentaries, and general conversation about dangerous animals.
Technical
Used in zoology, wildlife biology, and conservation law with precise taxonomic and behavioral terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grizzly bear”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grizzly bear”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grizzly bear”
- Misspelling as 'grisly bear' ('grisly' means gruesome).
- Using 'grizzly' as a standalone noun for the animal is common in US English but may be marked as informal elsewhere.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes and no. The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) is a subspecies of the brown bear (Ursus arctos). All grizzlies are brown bears, but not all brown bears (e.g., coastal Alaskan Kodiak bears) are called grizzlies.
The name comes from the 'grizzled' appearance of its fur, which is often brown with silver or grey tips.
They can be, especially if surprised, threatened, or protecting cubs or food. However, they generally avoid humans. Most attacks occur due to human behaviour like approaching too closely or improper food storage.
Primarily in inland regions of Alaska, western Canada, and the northwestern United States (e.g., Montana, Wyoming, Idaho), with significant populations in protected areas like Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.
A large, powerful subspecies of brown bear native to North America, characterized by silver-tipped or grizzled fur.
Grizzly bear is usually neutral to formal in biological contexts; informal in metaphorical use. in register.
Grizzly bear: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡrɪz.li ˈbeər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡrɪz.li ˈber/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Like a grizzly with a sore head (very grumpy)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'GRIZZLY' has 'grizz' like 'grey' – it's the bear with grey-tipped, grizzled fur.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GRIZZLY BEAR IS A FORCE OF NATURE (uncontrollable, powerful, dangerous).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary distinguishing feature of a grizzly bear's appearance?