“Bear” and “bare” are true homophones — pronounced exactly alike, but with meanings that have nothing to do with each other.
The Short Answer
Bear can be a noun (the animal) or a verb (to carry, endure, or tolerate). Bare is an adjective meaning uncovered, plain, or empty, or a verb meaning to uncover or reveal.
Examples of “Bear”
- A grizzly bear wandered near the campsite.
- I can’t bear to watch this.
- She had to bear the weight of the decision alone.
- Please bear with me while I finish this.
Examples of “Bare”
- He walked across the sand with bare feet.
- The room was completely bare after they moved out.
- She bared her true feelings for the first time.
- The trees were bare by late November.
A Simple Memory Trick
“Bear” contains “ear,” and you can picture a bear’s ears — a reminder that it’s the animal or the act of carrying a heavy load (bears are large and strong). “Bare” rhymes with “spare” and “care” — both relate to something plain, minimal, or exposed.
The Common “Bare With Me” Mistake
One of the most frequent errors with this pair is writing “bare with me” instead of “bear with me.” The correct phrase uses “bear” in its sense of “tolerate” or “endure” — you’re asking someone to endure a delay, not to undress. Since both words sound identical, this mistake is easy to make and easy to miss while proofreading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it “bear with me” or “bare with me”?
A: “Bear with me” is correct — it means “be patient with me,” using “bear” in the sense of tolerating something.
Which word means “uncovered” or “empty”?
A: “Bare” means uncovered, plain, or empty, as in “bare feet” or a “bare room.”
Do “bear” and “bare” sound the same?
A: Yes, they’re true homophones, pronounced identically despite having completely unrelated meanings.
