g-r-i-z-z-l-e-d
GRIZZLED means having gray or partly gray hair, typically describing someone whose hair has become streaked with gray, especially from age or stress.
28
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
GRIZZLED describes hair that has become gray or partly gray, often in a way that creates a salt-and-pepper appearance. While primarily referring to hair color, the term often carries connotations of experience, wisdom, or weathering - someone who has "been through it." The word is frequently used to describe veterans, seasoned professionals, or anyone whose appearance suggests years of experience. A grizzled appearance can imply toughness, endurance, and hard-won knowledge. In literature and film, "grizzled" characters are often mentors or battle-hardened individuals.Common applications of grizzled:
The word grizzled comes from Middle English grisel, derived from Old French grisel or gris, meaning "gray." This traces back to Frankish *grīs, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "gray." The connection to "grizzly" (as in grizzly bear) shares the same etymology - both refer to the grayish coloring. The bear was named for its silver-tipped fur that gives it a grizzled appearance. The "-ed" suffix makes it an adjective describing the state of having gray hair. First recorded in English around the 15th century, "grizzled" originally meant simply "gray" but evolved to specifically describe hair streaked or mixed with gray, rather than uniformly gray.
•The "grizzled veteran" trope appears in countless war movies and westerns
•Grizzly bears got their name from their grizzled, silver-tipped fur appearance
•Studies show hair typically starts grizzling at the temples and beard first
•In literature, grizzled characters often serve as mentors to younger protagonists
"The grizzled detective had seen too many cases like this one."
"His once-black beard was now grizzled with streaks of silver."
"The grizzled war veteran shared stories no one else could tell."
Total base points: 28 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 | Consonants: 6
Words with similar meaning
Gray-haired
Having gray hair
Salt-and-pepper
Mixed gray and dark hair
Hoary
Gray or white with age
Silver-haired
Having silvery gray hair
Words with opposite meaning
Youthful
Appearing young
Fresh-faced
Young-looking
Unweathered
Not showing age/experience
Dark-haired
Without gray hair
Base Form
grizzle
His hair began to grizzle in his forties.
Present Participle
grizzling
She noticed her hair grizzling at the temples.
Related Terms
Experienced soldier/professional
Gray-streaked facial hair
Gray-mixed hair
If you can't play GRIZZLED, consider these subwords:
In storytelling, the "grizzled veteran" is a powerful archetype - someone whose physical appearance reflects their hard-won experience. From Hemingway's old fishermen to Hollywood's tough sergeants, grizzled characters embody wisdom earned through survival. Their gray hair serves as a visual shorthand for stories untold.
While once seen as purely aging-related, being grizzled has gained positive connotations. The "silver fox" phenomenon celebrates distinguished graying. Young people even dye their hair gray for the grizzled look. What was once hidden is now embraced as a sign of authenticity and experience.
Hair grizzles when melanin production decreases, typically starting in the 30s. Genetics play the primary role, though stress can accelerate the process (despite the "scared gray" myth being largely debunked). The grizzling pattern - temples and beard first - creates the distinctive salt-and-pepper look that defines the term.
Grizzled vs. Grizzly
Grizzled = gray-haired; Grizzly = type of bear
Grizzled vs. Gray
Grizzled = mixed gray; Gray = solid color
Grizzled vs. Weathered
Grizzled = hair; Weathered = skin/general appearance
Other valuable words with double Z in Scrabble
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