ursine
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of ursine
1540–50; < Latin ursīnus, equivalent to urs ( us ) bear + -īnus -ine 1
Explanation
Ursine means having similarities to bears. Many people think of koalas as ursine animals — but they're actually more closely related to kangaroos than bears! Ursine means to have bear-like qualities: big, furry, muscular, and lumbering. If you're using the word to describe a big, hulking football player it might be perceived as a compliment. You can also use this word to refer to actual bears. You might, for instance, study the ursine diet in biology class. Ursine originated back in the 16th century, from the Latin word for — you guessed it — "bear."
Vocabulary lists containing ursine
A Lexical Zoo of Animal Adjectives
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Animal Adjectives
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The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But nearby residents have expressed questions — and concerns — at their unfamiliar ursine neighbors.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2025
As Ed Asner's ursine editor found himself back in the day, Samantha is a fox in an unfamiliar den, starting over in a new city and new culture with different rules and feelings about Americans.
From Salon • Jul. 2, 2023
It prompted formation of a sort of ursine emergency task force including the Metropolitan Police Department, the local Humane Rescue Alliance, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the National Zoo.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 9, 2023
But wrestling the ursine intruder or allowing a bear to be wrestled on one’s premises could leave a person with up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000.
From Washington Times • Jun. 2, 2023
“C’mon back to the old Meecham Mansion any time you want to,” he said, ascending the stairs with an ursine heaviness, his footsteps an intentional warning to his children.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
