grizzle

¹ American  

[griz-uhl] / ˈgrɪz əl /

verb (used with or without object)

grizzled, grizzling

1. to make or become gray or partly gray.

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adjective

1. gray; grayish; devoid of hue.

noun

1. gray or partly gray hair.

2. a gray wig.

grizzle ² American  

[griz-uhl] / ˈgrɪz əl /

verb (used without object)

British.

grizzled, grizzling

1. to complain; whimper; whine.

2. to laugh or grin in mockery; sneer.

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grizzle ¹ British  

/ ˈɡrɪzəl /

verb

1. to make or become grey

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noun

1. a grey colour

2. grey or partly grey hair

3. a grey wig

grizzle ² British  

/ ˈɡrɪzəl /

verb

1. (esp of a child) to fret; whine

2. to sulk or grumble

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Other Word Forms

• grizzler noun

Etymology

Origin of grizzle¹

1350–1400; Middle English grisel < Old French, derivative of gris gray < Germanic; see griseous

Origin of grizzle²

1740–50; origin uncertain; compare Middle High German grisgramen to gnash one's teeth, German Griesgram sourpuss

Example Sentences

There’s spots of gray grizzle visible on his chin.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2023

Aside from his charismatic grizzle, the role was educational.

From New York Times • Aug. 22, 2017

With “Hands of Stone,” Robert De Niro officially enters his Burgess Meredith-in-“Rocky” phase, bringing the ringside grizzle and rumpled gravitas by the pound.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 25, 2016

Like a middle-aged heartthrob, Koko has a graceful grey grizzle around the mouth now, and Woss says his leading man will not take on any more films.

From The Guardian • Feb. 9, 2012

I remember running with her towards the fence, the baby starting to wake and to grizzle a little.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins

Related Words

• bleach