grizzle

UK: /ˈgrɪz^əl/ US: (griz′əl)

Inflections of 'grizzle' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

grizzles

v 3rd person singular

grizzling

v pres p

grizzled

v past

grizzled

v past p

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

griz•zle¹  (griz′əl), v., -zled, -zling, adj., n. 
v.i., v.t. 

1. to make or become gray or partly gray.

adj. 

2. gray;
   grayish;
   devoid of hue.

n. 

3. gray or partly gray hair.
4. a gray wig.

• Gmc; see griseous
• Old French, derivative of gris gray
• Middle English grisel 1350–1400

griz•zle²  (griz′əl), v.i., -zled, -zling. [Brit.]

1. British Terms to complain;
   whimper;
   whine.
2. British Terms to laugh or grin in mockery;
   sneer.

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

griz′zler, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

grizzle / ˈɡrɪz^əl/ verb

1. to make or become grey

noun

1. a grey colour
2. grey or partly grey hair

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French grisel, from gris, of Germanic origin; compare Middle High German grīs grey

grizzle / ˈɡrɪz^əl/ verb (intransitive)

1. (esp of a child) to fret; whine

Etymology: 18th Century: of Germanic origin; compare Old High German grist-grimmōn gnashing of teeth, German Griesgram unpleasant person

ˈgrizzler noun