beard
Plural
beards
1
the hair that grow on the chin and sides of a man’s face
- He decided to grow a beard for the first time to change his appearance.
- He trimmed his beard to keep it neat and tidy.
- The old man had a long, white beard that flowed down to his chest.
- The stylish hipster had a perfectly groomed beard.
- The thick beard made him look more mature and distinguished.
2
a tuft of strong filaments by which certain shellfish, such as mussels, attach themselves to a surface
- The mussel's beard anchored it to the rock.
- Divers found mussels clinging by their beards.
- The beard helps the shellfish stay in place in strong currents.
- He removed the beard before cooking the mussels.
- The beard is made of tough, fibrous threads.
Synonyms:
3
a person used as a date or partner to hide someone's sexual orientation
In LGBTQIA+ slang, a beard is a person who serves as a date, partner, or spouse to someone who is hiding their sexual orientation, often to avoid suspicion or social stigma. The term has been in use since at least the mid-20th century and is most commonly associated with closeted gay men dating women to appear heterosexual, though it can apply to any gender combination. While sometimes used humorously, it also reflects the pressures of heteronormativity and the lengths people may go to protect their privacy or safety.
- She acted as his beard at the family gathering.
- The celebrity attended the event with a beard to avoid rumors.
- In the movie, the character hires a beard to protect his image.
- He brought a beard to the party to keep the press away.
- The arrangement was purely for appearances, she was just his beard.
4
a tuft or fringe of hairs or bristles on certain plants, such as irises or grasses
- The iris flower has a yellow beard on its petals.
- Barley has a long beard on each grain.
- The grass's beard caught the morning dew.
- The plant's beard helps protect its seeds.
- The beard of the wheat swayed in the wind.