Meaning of bear in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /bɛr/

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  1. Verb

    bear

    Etymology

    Old English beran, of Germanic origin; from an Indo-European root shared by Sanskrit bharati, Greek pherein, and Latin ferre

    Definitions

    1. have

    Examples

    • « bear a resemblance »
    • « bear a signature »
  2. 2. give birth (to a newborn)

    Examples

    • « My wife had twins yesterday! »
  3. 3. put up with something or somebody unpleasant

    Examples

    • « I cannot bear his constant criticism »
    • « The new secretary had to endure a lot of unprofessional remarks »
    • « he learned to tolerate the heat »
    • « She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage »
  4. 4. move while holding up or supporting

    Examples

    • « Bear gifts »
    • « bear a heavy load »
    • « bear news »
    • « bearing orders »
  5. 5. bring forth, "The apple tree bore delicious apples this year"

    Examples

    • « The unidentified plant bore gorgeous flowers »
  6. 6. take on as one's own the expenses or debts of another person

    Examples

    • « I'll accept the charges »
    • « She agreed to bear the responsibility »
  7. 7. contain or hold

    Examples

    • « have within »
    • « The jar carries wine »
    • « The canteen holds fresh water »
    • « This can contains water »
  8. 8. bring in

    Examples

    • « interest-bearing accounts »
    • « How much does this savings certificate pay annually? »
  9. 9. have on one's person

    Examples

    • « He wore a red ribbon »
    • « bear a scar »
  10. 10. behave in a certain manner

    Examples

    • « She carried herself well »
    • « he bore himself with dignity »
    • « They conducted themselves well during these difficult times »
  11. 11. have rightfully

    Examples

    • « of rights, titles, and offices »
    • « She bears the title of Duchess »
    • « He held the governorship for almost a decade »
  12. 12. support or hold in a certain manner

    Examples

    • « She holds her head high »
    • « He carried himself upright »
  13. 13. be pregnant with

    Examples

    • « She is bearing his child »
    • « The are expecting another child in January »
    • « I am carrying his child »

  14. Noun

    bear

    Etymology

    Old English bera, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch beer and German Bär

    Definitions

    1. massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
  15. 2. an investor with a pessimistic market outlook

    Examples

    • « an investor who expects prices to fall and so sells now in order to buy later at a lower price »

    Antonyms