GRIZ-lee
GRIZZLY A large North American brown bear; also means gray or gray-haired, especially with age.
29
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
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Playing GRIZZLY uses all 7 tiles from your rack, earning a 50-point bingo bonus in Scrabble! Total potential: $79 points before multipliers.
A grizzly, short for grizzly bear, is a North American subspecies of brown bear (Ursus arctos horribilis). These massive predators, weighing up to 800 pounds, are distinguished by their shoulder hump, long claws, and often grizzled (gray-tipped) fur that gives them their name.
As an adjective, grizzly means gray or gray-haired, particularly referring to hair that has become gray with age or that has gray streaks. The term captures the salt-and-pepper appearance that inspired the bear's common name.
In word games, GRIZZLY offers a solid 7-letter word with two Z's, providing excellent scoring opportunities. The double Z configuration is uncommon in English, making this word particularly valuable for using multiple high-scoring tiles.
The grizzly bear has become an icon of wilderness and power in North American culture. From state flags to sports teams, the grizzly represents strength, wildness, and the untamed natural world. Their recovery from near-extinction also symbolizes conservation success.
The word 'grizzly' comes from 'grizzle,' meaning gray or gray-haired, from Old French 'grisel,' from 'gris' meaning gray. The term was first applied to the bears in the early 1800s by explorers who noted their gray-tipped fur. The scientific name 'horribilis' means 'horrible' or 'fearsome,' reflecting early encounters.
Words with similar meaning
GRIZZLY BEAR
Full name
BROWN BEAR
Species name
GRAY
Color meaning
GRIZZLED
Gray-streaked
Words with opposite meaning
BLACK BEAR
Different species
YOUTHFUL
Opposite of grizzled
Plural Form
grizzlies
Related Terms
North American brown bear
Dangerous meeting
Experienced, aging person
Total base points: 29 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 | Consonants: 5
Other high-scoring 7-letter words (Scrabble)
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"The grizzly emerged from the forest, its massive form dwarfing the surrounding vegetation."
"His grizzly beard gave him a distinguished, weathered appearance."
"GRIZZLY with both Z's on premium squares scored impressively."
The grizzly bear embodies the American wilderness ideal - powerful, independent, and increasingly rare. From Lewis and Clark's journals to modern wildlife documentaries, grizzlies represent both nature's majesty and the human impact on wild spaces. They've become symbols of environmental conservation and coexistence challenges.
BEAR
Related term
WILDERNESS
Related term
PREDATOR
Related term
CONSERVATION
Related term
GRAY
Color meaning
WILDLIFE
Related term
MONTANA
Related term
ALASKA
Related term
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