Bare vs. Bear — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 12, 2023
"Bare" refers to being uncovered or naked, while "Bear" can mean to carry, endure, or refer to the large mammal.
Difference Between Bare and Bear
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Bare and Bear are classic examples of homophones in the English language – words that sound alike but have different meanings. "Bare" primarily conveys a lack of coverage or adornment. For instance, a "bare wall" is one without any decorations or paint. Conversely, "Bear" holds multiple meanings, one of which is the large mammal commonly found in forests.
When referring to the human body, Bare indicates exposure. If someone's feet are without shoes, they are described as "barefoot." On the other hand, Bear in this context doesn't pertain to exposure but rather to carrying or holding up. For instance, the legs bear the weight of the body.
In a more figurative sense, Bare can be used to describe the basic or essential facts of something, as in the "bare essentials." Meanwhile, Bear can signify enduring or tolerating something. For example, one might bear a burden or bear the pain of a loss.
The distinction becomes clearer with usage over time. A tree might have "bare branches" in winter, indicating they are devoid of leaves. Meanwhile, the same tree might "bear fruit" in a different season, signifying it produces fruit. It's essential to note the context to determine the appropriate use of Bare and Bear.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Lacking coverage or adornment.
To carry, endure, or the large mammal.
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Usage
Describes uncovered or naked state.
Describes carrying, holding, enduring or refers to the animal.
Grammar
Usually an adjective.
Can be a verb or a noun.
Example
Bare feet, bare essentials.
Bear a responsibility, brown bear.
Phonetics
Sounds the same as "Bear".
Sounds the same as "Bare".
Compare with Definitions
Bare
Without addition; basic and simple.
He told me the bare facts of the case.
Bear
To hold up or support.
The bridge can bear the weight of heavy trucks.
Bare
Empty or unoccupied.
The room was bare and uninviting.
Bear
To produce or yield something, like fruit.
The tree bears apples every fall.
Bare
(of a person or part of the body) not clothed or covered
She padded in bare feet towards the door
He was bare from the waist up
Bear
To carry oneself in a specific manner.
He bears himself with dignity.
Bare
Without addition; basic and simple
He outlined the bare essentials of the story
Bear
Bears are carnivoran mammals of the family Ursidae. They are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans.
Bare
Uncover (a part of the body or other thing) and expose it to view
He bared his chest to show his scar
Bear
To carry (something) on one's person from one place to another
Bore the suitcase to the station.
Bare
A large amount or number of
My birthday's on the 22nd—I'm gonna get bare cash
I've got bare work to do
You can't promote your party all over Twitter and then get mad when bare people show up
Bear
To move from one place to another while containing or supporting (something); convey or transport
A train bearing grain.
Bare
Very; really (used as an intensifier)
I'm in a bare good mood for once
You are bare lazy
Bear
To cause to move by or with steady pressure; push
A boat borne along by the current.
Bare
Lacking the usual or appropriate covering or clothing; naked
A bare arm.
Bear
To carry or hold in the mind over time; harbor
Bear a grudge.
Bear ill will.
Bare
Exposed to view; undisguised
Bare fangs.
Bear
To have as a visible characteristic or attribute
A letter bearing his name.
Bare
Lacking the usual furnishings, equipment, or decoration
Bare walls.
Bear
To conduct (oneself) in a specified way
She bore herself with dignity.
Bare
Having no addition, adornment, or qualification
The bare facts.
Bear
To hold up; support
This wall bears much of the weight of the roof.
Bare
Just sufficient; mere
The bare necessities.
Bear
To be accountable for; assume
Bearing heavy responsibilities.
Bare
(Obsolete) Bareheaded.
Bear
To have a tolerance for; endure
Couldn't bear his lying.
Can't bear to see them leave.
Bare
To make bare; uncover or reveal
Bared their heads.
Baring secrets.
Bear
To have grounds for; call for; warrant
This case bears investigation.
Bare
To expose
The dog bared its teeth.
Bear
To give birth to
Bore six children.
Bare
A past tense of bear1.
Bear
To produce; yield
Plants bearing fruit.
Bare
Minimal; that is or are just sufficient.
A bare majority
Bear
To offer; render
I will bear witness to the deed.
Bare
Naked, uncovered.
Bear
To yield fruit; produce
Peach trees that bear every summer.
Bare
Having no supplies.
A room bare of furniture
The cupboard was bare.
Bear
To have relevance or influence; apply
They studied how the relativity theory bears on the history of science.
Bare
Having no decoration.
The walls of this room are bare — why not hang some paintings on them?
Bear
To endure something with tolerance or patience
Bear with me while I explain what happened.
Bare
Having had what usually covers (something) removed.
The trees were left bare after the swarm of locusts devoured all the leaves.
Bear
To extend or proceed in a specified direction
The road bears to the right at the bottom of the hill.
Bare
A lot or lots of.
It's bare money to get in the club each time, man.
It's taking bare time.
Bear
To be directed or aimed in a certain direction or at a target
The guns were brought to bear upon the approaching fleet.
Bare
With head uncovered; bareheaded.
Bear
Any of various usually omnivorous mammals of the family Ursidae that have a shaggy coat and a short tail and walk with the entire lower surface of the foot touching the ground.
Bare
Without anything to cover up or conceal one's thoughts or actions; open to view; exposed.
Bear
Any of various other animals, such as the koala, that resemble a true bear.
Bare
(figuratively) Mere; without embellishment.
Bear
A large, clumsy, or ill-mannered person.
Bare
Threadbare, very worn.
Bear
One, such as an investor, that sells securities or commodities in expectation of falling prices.
Bare
Not insured.
Bear
A pessimist, especially regarding business conditions.
Bare
(dialect) Barely.
Bear
(Slang) Something that is difficult or unpleasant
The final exam was a bear.
Bare
Very; significantly.
That pissed me off bare.
That's bare stupid.
Bear
(Slang) A highway patrol officer.
Bare
(slang) Without a condom.
Bear
(Slang) A hairy, stocky gay man.
Bare
(‘the bare’) The surface, the (bare) skin.
Bear
Characterized by falling prices
A bear market.
Bare
Surface; body; substance.
Bear
A large, generally omnivorous mammal (a few species are purely carnivorous or herbivorous), related to the dog and raccoon, having shaggy hair, a very small tail, and flat feet; a member of the family Ursidae.
Bare
(architecture) That part of a roofing slate, shingle, tile, or metal plate, which is exposed to the weather.
Bear
The meat of this animal.
We had barbecued bear for dinner.
Bare
To uncover; to reveal.
She bared her teeth at him.
The tabloid newspaper promised to bare all.
Bear
(figuratively) A rough, unmannerly, uncouth person.
Bare
(obsolete) bear
Bear
(finance) An investor who sells commodities, securities, or futures in anticipation of a fall in prices.
Bare
Without clothes or covering; stripped of the usual covering; naked; as, his body is bare; the trees are bare.
Bear
A state policeman short for Smokey Bear.
Bare
With head uncovered; bareheaded.
When once thy foot enters the church, be bare.
Bear
(gay slang) A large, hairy man, especially one who is homosexual.
Bare
Without anything to cover up or conceal one's thoughts or actions; open to view; exposed.
Bare in thy guilt, how foul must thou appear !
Bear
(engineering) A portable punching machine.
Bare
Plain; simple; unadorned; without polish; bald; meager.
Bear
(nautical) A block covered with coarse matting, used to scour the deck.
Bare
Destitute; indigent; empty; unfurnished or scantily furnished; - used with of (rarely with in) before the thing wanting or taken away; as, a room bare of furniture.
Bear
(cartomancy) The fifteenth Lenormand card.
Bare
Threadbare; much worn.
It appears by their bare liveries that they live by your bare words.
Bear
Something difficult or tiresome; a burden or chore.
That window can be a bear to open.
Bare
Mere; alone; unaccompanied by anything else; as, a bare majority.
Nor are men prevailed upon by bare words.
Bear
(obsolete) A pillowcase; a fabric case or covering as for a pillow.
Bare
Surface; body; substance.
You have touched the very bare of naked truth.
Bear
To endeavour to depress the price of, or prices in.
To bear a railroad stock
To bear the market
Bare
That part of a roofing slate, shingle, tile, or metal plate, which is exposed to the weather.
Bear
To carry or convey, literally or figuratively.
They came bearing gifts.
Judging from the look on his face, he wasn't bearing good news.
The little boat bore us to our destination.
This plant's light and fluffy seeds may be borne by the wind to remote islands.
Bare
To strip off the covering of; to make bare; as, to bare the breast.
Bear
To carry upon one's person, especially visibly; to be equipped with.
The right to bear arms
Bare
Lay bare;
Bare your breasts
Bare your feelings
Bear
To wear. en
Bare
Make public;
She aired her opinions on welfare
Bear
To carry (offspring in the womb), to be pregnant (with).
The scan showed that the ewe was bearing twins.
Bare
Lay bare;
Denude a forest
Bear
(transitive) To have or display (a mark or other feature).
She still bears the scars from a cycling accident.
The stone bears a short inscription.
This bears all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack.
Bare
Denuded of leaves;
The bare branches of winter
Bear
(transitive) To display (a particular heraldic device) on a shield or coat of arms; to be entitled to wear or use (a heraldic device) as a coat of arms.
The shield bore a red cross.
Bare
Completely unclothed;
Bare bodies
Naked from the waist up
A nude model
Bear
(transitive) To present or exhibit (a particular outward appearance); to have (a certain look).
He bore the look of a defeated man.
Bare
Lacking in amplitude or quantity;
A bare livelihood
A scanty harvest
A spare diet
Bear
(transitive) To have (a name, title, or designation).
The school still bears the name of its founder.
Bare
Without the natural or usual covering;
A bald spot on the lawn
Bare hills
Bear
(transitive) To possess or enjoy (recognition, renown, a reputation, etc.); to have (a particular price, value, or worth).
The dictator bears a terrible reputation for cruelty.
Bare
Not having a protective covering;
Unsheathed cables
A bare blade
Bear
To have (interest or a specified rate of interest) stipulated in its terms.
The bond bears a fixed interest rate of 3.5%.
Bare
Just barely adequate or within a lower limit;
A bare majority
A marginal victory
Bear
To have (an appendage, organ, etc.) as part of the body; (of a part of the body) to have (an appendage).
Only the male Indian elephant bears tusks.
Bare
Apart from anything else; without additions or modifications;
Only the bare facts
Shocked by the mere idea
The simple passage of time was enough
The simple truth
Bear
(transitive) To carry or hold in the mind; to experience, entertain, harbour (an idea, feeling, or emotion).
To bear a grudge, to bear ill will
Bare
Lacking a surface finish such as paint;
Bare wood
Unfinished furniture
Bear
To feel and show (respect, reverence, loyalty, etc.) to, towards, or unto a person or thing.
The brothers had always borne one another respect.
Bare
Providing no shelter or sustenance;
Bare rocky hills
Barren lands
The bleak treeless regions of the high Andes
The desolate surface of the moon
A stark landscape
Bear
(transitive) To possess inherently (a quality, attribute, power, or capacity); to have and display as an essential characteristic.
To bear life
Bare
Having extraneous everything removed including contents;
The bare walls
The cupboard was bare
Bear
To have (a relation, correspondence, etc.) to something else.
The punishment bears no relation to the crime.
Bare
Showing ground without the usual covering of grass;
A carefully swept bare yard around the house
Bear
(transitive) To give (written or oral testimony or evidence); (figurative) to provide or constitute (evidence or proof), give witness.
His achievements bear testimony to his ability.
The jury could see he was bearing false witness.
Bare
Lacking the usual or appropriate covering or clothing.
Her feet were bare against the cold floor.
Bear
(transitive) To have (a certain meaning, intent, or effect).
This word no longer bears its original meaning.
Bare
To uncover or reveal.
He bared his soul to her.
Bear
To behave or conduct (oneself).
She bore herself well throughout the ordeal.
Bare
Lacking adornment or embellishment.
The walls were bare of any pictures.
Bear
To possess and use, to exercise (power or influence); to hold (an office, rank, or position).
Bear
To carry a burden or burdens.
Bear
To take or bring (a person) with oneself; to conduct.
Bear
To support, sustain, or endure.
Bear
(transitive) To support or sustain; to hold up.
This stone bears most of the weight.
Bear
To endure or withstand (hardship, scrutiny, etc.); to tolerate; to be patient (with).
The pain is too much for me to bear.
I would never move to Texas — I can't bear heat.
This reasoning will not bear much analysis.
Please bear with me as I try to find the book you need.
Bear
(transitive) To sustain, or be answerable for (blame, expense, responsibility, etc.).
The hirer must bear the cost of any repairs.
Bear
(transitive) To admit or be capable of (a meaning); to suffer or sustain without violence, injury, or change.
Bear
(transitive) To warrant, justify the need for.
This storm definitely bears monitoring.
Bear
To support, keep up, or maintain.
Bear
(transitive) To afford, to be something to someone, to supply with something. en
Bear
(transitive) To carry on, or maintain; to have. en
Bear
To press or impinge upon.
Bear
To push, thrust, press.
The rope has frayed where it bears on the rim of the wheel.
Bear
To take effect; to have influence or force; to be relevant.
To bring arguments to bear
How does this bear on the question?
Bear
Of a weapon, to be aimed at an enemy or other target.
The cannons were wheeled around to bear upon the advancing troops.
Bear
To produce, yield, give birth to.
Bear
To give birth to (someone or something) may take the father of the direct object as an indirect object.
In Troy she becomes Paris’ wife, bearing him several children, all of whom die in infancy.
Bear
To produce or yield something, such as fruit or crops.
This year our apple trees bore a good crop of fruit.
Bear
To be, or head, in a specific direction or azimuth (from somewhere).
Carry on past the church and then bear left at the junction.
By my readings, we're bearing due south, so we should turn about ten degrees east.
Great Falls bears north of Bozeman.
Bear
To gain or win.
Bear
Characterized by declining prices in securities markets or by belief that the prices will fall.
The great bear market starting in 1929 scared a whole generation of investors.
Bear
To support or sustain; to hold up.
Bear
To support and remove or carry; to convey.
I 'll bear your logs the while.
Bear
To conduct; to bring; - said of persons.
Bear them to my house.
Bear
To possess and use, as power; to exercise.
Every man should bear rule in his own house.
Bear
To sustain; to have on (written or inscribed, or as a mark), as, the tablet bears this inscription.
Bear
To possess or carry, as a mark of authority or distinction; to wear; as, to bear a sword, badge, or name.
Bear
To possess mentally; to carry or hold in the mind; to entertain; to harbor
The ancient grudge I bear him.
Bear
To endure; to tolerate; to undergo; to suffer.
Should such a man, too fond to rule alone,Bear, like the Turk, no brother near the throne.
I cannot bearThe murmur of this lake to hear.
My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Bear
To gain or win.
Some think to bear it by speaking a great word.
She was . . . found not guilty, through bearing of friends and bribing of the judge.
Bear
To sustain, or be answerable for, as blame, expense, responsibility, etc.
He shall bear their iniquities.
Somewhat that will bear your charges.
Bear
To render or give; to bring forward.
Bear
To carry on, or maintain; to have.
Bear
To admit or be capable of; that is, to suffer or sustain without violence, injury, or change.
In all criminal cases the most favorable interpretation should be put on words that they can possibly bear.
Bear
To manage, wield, or direct.
Hath he borne himself penitently in prison?
Bear
To afford; to be to; to supply with.
His faithful dog shall bear him company.
Bear
To bring forth or produce; to yield; as, to bear apples; to bear children; to bear interest.
Here dwelt the man divine whom Samos bore.
Bear
To produce, as fruit; to be fruitful, in opposition to barrenness.
This age to blossom, and the next to bear.
Bear
To suffer, as in carrying a burden.
But man is born to bear.
Bear
To endure with patience; to be patient.
I can not, can not bear.
Bear
To press; - with on or upon, or against.
These men bear hard on the suspected party.
Bear
To take effect; to have influence or force; as, to bring matters to bear.
Bear
To relate or refer; - with on or upon; as, how does this bear on the question?
Bear
To have a certain meaning, intent, or effect.
Her sentence bore that she should stand a certain time upon the platform.
Bear
To be situated, as to the point of compass, with respect to something else; as, the land bears N. by E.
Bear
To endeavor to depress the price of, or prices in; as, to bear a railroad stock; to bear the market.
Bear
A bier.
Bear
Any species of the genus Ursus, and of the closely allied genera. Bears are plantigrade Carnivora, but they live largely on fruit and insects.
Bear
An animal which has some resemblance to a bear in form or habits, but no real affinity; as, the woolly bear; ant bear; water bear; sea bear.
Bear
One of two constellations in the northern hemisphere, called respectively the Great Bear and the Lesser Bear, or Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
Bear
Metaphorically: A brutal, coarse, or morose person.
Bear
A person who sells stocks or securities for future delivery in expectation of a fall in the market.
Bear
A portable punching machine.
Bear
A block covered with coarse matting; - used to scour the deck.
Bear
Barley; the six-rowed barley or the four-rowed barley, commonly the former (Hordeum hexastichon or Hordeum vulgare).
Bear
Massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
Bear
An investor with a pessimistic market outlook; an investor who expects prices to fall and so sells now in order to buy later at a lower price
Bear
Have;
Bear a resemblance
Bear a signature
Bear
Give birth (to a newborn);
My wife had twins yesterday!
Bear
Put up with something or somebody unpleasant;
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
Bear
Move while holding up or supporting;
Bear gifts
Bear a heavy load
Bear news
Bearing orders
Bear
Bring forth,
The apple tree bore delicious apples this year
The unidentified plant bore gorgeous flowers
Bear
Take on as one's own the expenses or debts of another person;
I'll accept the charges
She agreed to bear the responsibility
Bear
Contain or hold; have within;
The jar carries wine
The canteen holds fresh water
This can contains water
Bear
Bring in;
Interest-bearing accounts
How much does this savings certificate pay annually?
Bear
Have on one's person;
He wore a red ribbon
Bear a scar
Bear
Behave in a certain manner;
She carried herself well
He bore himself with dignity
They conducted themselves well during these difficult times
Bear
Have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices;
She bears the title of Duchess
He held the governorship for almost a decade
Bear
Support or hold in a certain manner;
She holds her head high
He carried himself upright
Bear
Be pregnant with;
She is bearing his child
The are expecting another child in January
I am carrying his child
Bear
A large omnivorous mammal.
The brown bear is native to North America.
Bear
To endure or tolerate.
She could hardly bear the pain.
Common Curiosities
Are "Bare" and "Bear" pronounced the same?
Yes, they're homophones and sound alike.
Can "Bare" be a verb?
Yes, as in "to bare one's teeth."
Can you "bear" emotions?
Yes, like "bearing a grudge" or "bearing love."
Can "Bear" describe movement?
Yes, as in "bear left" or "bear towards the north."
What does "bare minimum" mean?
It means the absolute least amount required.
Is "Bear" always about the animal?
No, it can mean to carry, hold, produce, or endure.
Can you "bare" a secret?
No, but you can "bear" a secret, meaning to carry the weight of it.
Which is correct: "bare in mind" or "bear in mind"?
The correct phrase is "bear in mind," meaning to remember.
What's a "barefaced lie"?
It's a blatant or obvious lie.
What's a "bear hug"?
It can be a tight embrace or a financial term for a takeover bid.
Is it "bear with me" or "bare with me"?
It's "bear with me," meaning to be patient.
How is "bare" used in finance?
"Bare" isn't common in finance, but "bear" is, as in "bear market."
What does "bare-knuckle" mean?
It means without gloves, often referring to boxing.
Is "bear" related to bearing?
Yes, "bearing" can mean direction or one's demeanor, derived from "bear."
Is "bear" related to birth?
Yes, as in "to bear a child."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
