noun
bear
An investor who expects market prices to fall.
As a bear, she expects stock prices to fall further.
Etymology
The financial term is traditionally connected with selling a bearskin before catching the bear. That image fits selling something not yet owned in the hope of buying it later at a lower price.
More examples
- The bears predict another drop in technology stocks.
- Even longtime bears are surprised by how far prices fall.
- He remains a bear despite this week's market rally.
Forms
bear · bears
bearish adjective — Expecting or indicating falling market prices.
Similar words
- short seller
- Sells borrowed shares, rather than merely expecting prices to fall.
- market pessimist
- Expects market weakness without necessarily investing or trading on it.