# bear

/ˈbɛɹ/ (US) · /bˈeə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bear
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the animal

noun · CEFR A2

a large, heavy animal with thick fur and sharp claws.

For teachers: a large omnivorous mammal of the family Ursidae, characterized by shaggy fur and a plantigrade gait.

- The campers were warned not to leave food out because a bear had been seen nearby.
- Conservationists are tracking the migration patterns of the brown bear to ensure that human development does not encroach on its natural habitat.

### 2. falling market

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

someone who sells shares because they think the price will go down.

For teachers: an investor who sells securities or commodities in anticipation of a price decline. Often used as an attributive noun in 'bear market'.

- The bears in the stock market made a lot of money when prices dropped last week.
- Market analysts noted that the bears were dominant during the morning session, leading to a significant sell-off in tech stocks.

### 3. subculture

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

a large, hairy man, especially in the gay community.

For teachers: a large and typically hairy man, used specifically within the LGBTQ+ community as a term of identity.

- He identifies as a bear and enjoys spending time at clubs that cater to that community.
- The festival celebrated diverse body types, including a large contingent of men from the bear subculture.

### 4. to tolerate

verb · CEFR B1

to accept or deal with something painful or difficult.

For teachers: to endure or tolerate a difficult or painful situation without giving way.

- The pain was almost too much to bear, but she stayed quiet.
- The residents had to bear the brunt of the storm's fury as the coastal defences were breached by the rising tide.

### 6. to produce

verb · CEFR B2

to produce fruit, flowers, or children.

For teachers: to produce or yield by natural growth; to give birth to offspring.

- The apple trees finally started to bear fruit after three years.
- The investment is expected to bear fruit within the next fiscal year, providing much-needed capital for expansion.

### 7. to turn

verb · CEFR B2

to move or turn in a certain direction.

For teachers: to move, lean, or be directed in a specific course or orientation.

- When you reach the fork in the road, bear left toward the village.
- The captain instructed the helmsman to bear north-northeast to avoid the shallow reefs visible on the radar.

### 8. declining prices

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

used to describe a market where prices are falling.

For teachers: relating to or denoting a market in which share prices are falling, encouraging selling.

- Investors are worried about the current bear market and are moving their money to gold.
- The prolonged bear market has forced many hedge funds to reconsider their aggressive growth strategies in favour of capital preservation.

## Examples

- The hungry bear searched for berries in the woods.
- During the winter months, the bear finds a quiet cave where it can hibernate until the spring arrives.
- In a market dominated by bears, many investors choose to liquidate their holdings in anticipation of further price declines across major stock indices.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.