bearded

American  

[beer-did] / ˈbɪər dɪd /

adjective

1. having a beard.

2. having a hairlike growth or tuft, as certain wheats.

3. having a barb, as a fishhook.

---

Other Word Forms

• beardedness noun
• nonbearded adjective
• unbearded adjective

Etymology

Origin of bearded

First recorded in 1350–1400, bearded is from the Middle English word beerdid. See beard, -ed ³

Explanation

Someone who's bearded has a beard. If your grandfather is often mistaken for Santa Claus because of his bushy white beard, you can describe him as bearded. Men with beards — whether they're trimmed short or worn long and full — are bearded. Women can be bearded as well, though it's less common, and so can Billy goats, with their tufted little beards. The adjective bearded is sometimes even used to describe plants, like the bearded iris, which grows a prominent bushy "beard" on its lower petals. Bearded comes from the noun beard, with its Germanic root, barthaz.

Example Sentences

But Raúl Castro, who led the Cuban revolution with his bearded brother, is now a fragile nonagenarian.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The success of the bearded, ass-kicking Ranger marked a stunning reversal of fortune for Norris, who grew up a shy, unathletic child, who "used to daydream about being strong...to beat up the bullies".

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

"She's been absolutely amazing," says Amanda Cook as she strokes the fluffy head of Florrie, a border collie and bearded collie cross.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

He is bearded and buff; she is a porcelain doll with Wednesday Addams hair and skin.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

“You know I kept trying to join the army when this war started,” the bearded man said.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• shaggy
• unshaven