2 syllables: grizz, ly. Stress on grizz.
GRIZ-lee
/ˈɡɹɪzli/
grizzly is pronounced GRIZ-lee (/ˈɡɹɪzli/). It has two syllables (grizz-ly), with the stress on "grizz". Grizzly refers to a large North American brown bear, typically fierce-sounding in behavior or appearance. The term also describes a rough, coarse texture or pattern, and is used metaphorically to convey a formidable or formidable-archetype quality. In pronunciation, it is a single-syllable primary stress word with a short vowel before the -zzly ending, often felt as rugged and punchy in speech.
Grizzly refers to a large North American brown bear, typically fierce-sounding in behavior or appearance. The term also describes a rough, coarse texture or pattern, and is used metaphorically to convey a formidable or formidable-archetype quality. In pronunciation, it is a single-syllable primary stress word with a short vowel before the -zzly ending, often felt as rugged and punchy in speech.
- You might lengthen the first vowel or mispronounce the /z/ as an /s/ or /zˤ/ leading to a muffled onset. - You could insert an extra vowel between the /z/ and the /l/ (griz-uh-lee) due to a fear of a difficult consonant cluster. - You may flatten the second syllable into /liː/ or /lɪ/ too much; aim for a steady /li/ without vowel drift.
"The grizzly lumbered out of the forest, sniffing the air.”"
"That grizzly bear was the highlight of the wildlife documentary."
"She wore a grizzly-patterned jacket that matched the rugged landscape.”"
US: /ˈɡrɪz.li/ with primary stress on the first syllable. The middle /ɪ/ is a short, lax vowel; the -zle is a light, syllabic /zli/ cluster leading into the final /li/. Maintain a short, crisp /ɪ/ and avoid over-lengthening the second syllable. UK and AU share /ˈɡrɪz.li/ with similar rhythm. Familiarize by saying ‘GRI-zlee’ with even emphasis.
Common errors include elongating the first vowel (grɪzːli) or turning the final /li/ into /liː/ as in ‘grizzly’ to ‘grizz-lee.’ Another mistake is inserting an extra vowel between /z/ and /l/ (grɪz-uh-lee). Correction: keep /ɪ/ short in the first syllable, do not insert schwa between /z/ and /l/, and end with a clean /li/ without an extra vowel. Practice with minimal pairs to lock the cluster.
All three share /ˈɡrɪz.li/. In US, rhotic influence is minimal; in American speech you’ll hear a crisper /ɹ/ onset and tighter final /li/. UK often features slightly longer vowel duration in some speakers; AU can have a darker /ɒ/ in some dialects, but grizzly remains /ˈɡrɪz.li/. The main differences lie in the consonant release timing and vowel subtlety; stress remains on the first syllable across accents.
The difficulty lies in the /z/ + /l/ cluster in rapid speech, which requires precise timing to avoid a wavering /z/ or a metallic /z/ before /l/. Also, the short /ɪ/ can be mis-timed, making it sound like /grizli/ or /grɪzlaɪ/. Practice crisp alveolar frication with the onset, and maintain a tight jaw to prevent vowel mutation in the second syllable.
The unique feature is the /z/ followed directly by /l/ in the syllable transition. This alveolar fricative + lateral combination can cut off the second syllable if your tongue doesn’t move quickly enough. Focus on a clean edge between /z/ and /l/ with a quick, almost immediate glide into /li/; keeping the tongue at the alveolar ridge helps maintain the crisp /z/ and prevent rumbling.
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- US: maintain rhotic influence with a crisp /ɹ/ onset and a tight /ɪ/ before /z/. - UK: keep a slightly longer vowel preceding /z/ and a sharper /l/ release; the /ɹ/ is non-rhotic, so you hear less rhotic colouring. - AU: often tactile /ɹ/ with quick tongue movement; ensure the final /li/ isn’t lengthened by guilt or vowel drift. Use IPA to mark the rhythm and reduce gliding into the second syllable.
Grizzly comes from the Spanish word grizzly (grizzled) via Middle English, adopted into English in the 18th century to describe bears with grizzled fur—gray or brown streaks in the coat. The term derives from grize, meaning gray, and the suffix -ly to form an adjective intensifier, reflecting the bear’s rough, shaggy, spotted fur pattern. Early usage linked the term to the North American grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), a species historically associated with danger and power. Over time, grizzly broadened in figurative use to describe things that appear formidable, rugged, or coarse in texture, and later as a proper name for cultural icons and brands. First known written use in English traces back to the 1800s as exploration and natural history literature began describing large, shaggy brown bears of the western North American frontier. The word’s evolution tracks a shift from a biological descriptor to a potent cultural symbol of wilderness, strength, and, at times, menace, mirroring how audiences perceive the animal and its fur’s streaked appearance. In modern usage, grizzly retains both zoological specificity and broader metaphorical resonance, and remains a common descriptor in wildlife reportage, outdoor gear branding, and colloquial speech about formidable persons or challenges.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "grizzly" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "grizzly" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "grizzly"
-zly sounds
-zle sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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