grizzly

adjective

griz·​zly ˈgriz-lē 

grizzlier; grizzliest

: grizzled

Frequently Asked Questions

Is grizzly a noun or an adjective?

Grizzly is both a noun and an adjective. The adjective, meaning "grizzled; sprinkled or streaked with gray," came first. In the early 19th century grizzly also began to be used as a shortened form of the noun grizzly bear (which was so named because of the animal's grayish fur).

What is the difference between grizzly and grisly?

Grizzly bears are large and ferocious carnivores, and some of their meal scenes can rightly be described as grisly. However, grizzly and grisly are not at all synonymous. Grizzly means "sprinkled or streaked with gray," and grisly means "inspiring horror or intense fear" or "inspiring disgust or distaste."

Are grizzly and grisly from the same root?

These two words may sound alike and be spelled in a similar fashion, but they do not share a root. The word grizzly comes ultimately from the Anglo-French word gris, meaning "gray." Grisly, on the other hand, comes from the Old English grislic, meaning "grisly, horrifying"; that word is a relative of an Old English verb meaning "to fear."

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing grizzly

• grizzly bear

Rhymes for grizzly

• grisly

Kids Definition

grizzly

1 of 2 adjective

griz·​zly

ˈgriz-lē

grizzlier; grizzliest

: grizzled

grizzly

2 of 2 noun

plural grizzlies

: grizzly bear