A grizzly is a large, powerful bear with a hump on its shoulders and long front claws. The word can also describe something frightening or very unpleasant, as in “a grizzly scene,” but most of the time people mean the bear.
In everyday talk, you’ll hear “grizzly” when someone spots one on a hiking trail (“We saw a grizzly at Glacier!”) or when people swap bear-safety tips. It also pops up in news headlines after rare attacks, and in sports nicknames like the “Grizzlies” for teams that want to sound tough.
Meaning & Usage Examples
• “A grizzly wandered into our campsite last night.”
• “The movie opens with a grizzly murder.”
• “He plays for the Memphis Grizzlies.”
Context / Common Use
If you’re camping in the Rockies, locals will warn you about grizzlies and tell you to hang your food high. Outside the wild, the word keeps its fierce image—think logos, mascots, or even a scary story someone calls “grizzly.”
Is a grizzly the same as any brown bear?
Almost. In North America, “grizzly” is used for inland brown bears, while coastal ones are often called just “brown bears” or “Alaskan browns.”
Can “grizzly” mean “grisly”?
People mix them up, but “grisly” means horrifying, while “grizzly” is the bear. Only in casual speech do they overlap.
What should I do if I see a grizzly in the wild?
Stay calm, back away slowly, and avoid eye contact. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
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