We beard growers, beard advocates, and beard fans ought to make the word beard‘s meaning as a verb work better for us!

Words are important. Let’s leverage the power of the word beard.

To beard or not to beard?

How is the word beard used as a verb in English? Common dictionary definitions of beard as a verb include:

• to boldly confront, oppose, or defy
• to furnish or supply with a beard

An older definition of beard as a verb is:

• to grab, pull, or even pluck a man’s beard

The above definitions for beard as a verb are not commonly used today. How about we add another definition of beard as a verb?

Let’s adopt this additional definition:

beard
verb
to grow one’s beard

This applies to both new beard growers in their initial stages of the beard growing process as well as to those who continue to grow their established beards.

Examples of usage:

• Oh, look. Johnny is bearding. (Johnny is growing his beard.)
• Chris is an expert at bearding. (Chris is an expert at beard growing.)
• I am going to beard starting next weekend. (I am going to start growing my beard next weekend.)
• Scott beards in a big way. (Scott grows his beard in a big way.)

Why use the word beard this way?

Here are some reasons:

• It’s quicker.
• It’s easier to say.
• It’s kind of fun and cool.
• Beard enthusiasts should own some of our beard terminology.
• It emphasizes that growing our beards is something that we do.
• It’s already in use to a limited extent. Let’s spread the word!

Is it really too much to keep saying “he’s growing his beard” that it needs to be shortened to “he’s bearding”? No. It’s not. We can and should use both “he is growing his beard” and “he’s bearding”. The shorter form is novel and more convenient while the longer form is more conventional.

A form of using the word beard to mean “to grow one’s beard” has already been in use for a number of years. Phrases such as “beard up” and “beard on” are imperatives essentially based on the “to grow one’s beard” definition. These phrases are ways of saying “grow your beard” or “keep growing your beard”. We should expand on this usage even further.

You beard. I beard. Let’s all beard!

Language is always evolving. How can we add a new definition of beard as a verb? The way to do it is to just start using it. Widely adopted changes in the usage of language are what bring about changes to the language itself.

Whenever you can, say “he’s bearding” instead of “he’s growing his beard”. Or say “you really should beard” instead of “you really should grow your beard”.

Treasure your beard. Enjoy your beard. Enjoy the whole beard experience. Beard: it’s something that we do.

Beard up. Beard on. Beard forever. Let’s do this! Spread the word. Start using this additional meaning of the word beard today. Use it freely and regularly!

Happy bearding!