grizzly

griz-zly · noun, adjective

imported

Definitions

noun, adjective

  1. 1.

    (noun) A large brown bear native to North America, characterized by its humped shoulders and often grizzled (gray-tipped) fur.

  2. 2.

    (adjective) Having gray or partly gray hair; grizzled.

Forms

plural: grizzlies

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    grizzly bear — The full name of the North American brown bear subspecies
  • •
    grizzly country — Wild areas where grizzly bears live

Related words

See also: bear, brown, gray
Synonyms: brown bear, grizzly bear

Etymology

From English grizzle ("gray hair, gray color"), from Old French grisel ("gray"). The bear was so named for its gray-tipped fur that gives it a "grizzled" appearance.