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; griseous

Origin of grizzle²

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

Example Sentences

It has turned the Red Storm into a powerhouse of grizzled veterans.

From The Wall Street Journal

It was a grizzled 20-something with experience playing against grown men.

From The Wall Street Journal

Playing his third official round at Riviera Country Club, the 26-year-old from South Carolina navigated the renowned course like a grizzled veteran.

From Los Angeles Times

Robert Duvall was a distinguished and prolific screen actor who lent a brooding intensity and grizzled authority to seven decades of American film-making.

From BBC

A black-and-white photo from 1897 depicts six grizzled men seated behind a table for the Nobel committee’s first ever meeting.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bleach