beard

Hair growing on a person’s chin and cheeks.

• He has a short beard.
• My father grew a beard last winter.
• Do you prefer him with or without a beard?

Similar words: facial hair

Common phrases: grow a beard, long beard, trim a beard, thick beard

A hanging bunch of hair below an animal’s chin.

• The goat has a white beard.
• Its beard moved as it chewed the grass.
• Both goats had long beards.

Common phrases: goat beard, long beard, white beard

A pretend partner who helps hide that someone is gay.

• She agreed to be his beard.
• He brought a beard to the family wedding.
• They dated publicly, but she was only his beard.

Common phrases: act as someone’s beard, be someone’s beard

Long, thin, stiff parts that grow from some plants, especially grains.

• Each barley seed has a long beard.
• The plant’s beard caught on my sleeve.
• These grasses have fine beards.

Similar words: awn

Common phrases: barley beard, beard of wheat

To face and challenge a powerful or dangerous person bravely.

• Few dared to beard the king.
• She bearded the governor in his own office.
• He was famous for bearding powerful men.

How to use it: beard someone (The young lawyer dared to beard the judge.)

Similar words: confront, challenge, defy

Common phrases: beard someone, beard the king