Afford vs. Bear — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 28, 2024
Afford implies financial capability to purchase or sustain a cost, while bear refers to enduring or carrying a burden, physically or emotionally.
Difference Between Afford and Bear
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Afford is primarily used to express having enough financial means or resources to pay for something. It suggests a level of economic comfort or the ability to incur an expense without undue hardship. Whereas, bear encompasses a wider range of meanings, including the ability to endure, tolerate, or carry weight, responsibilities, or emotional burdens. It implies resilience or capacity to deal with various forms of stress or obligations.
While "afford" is often related to financial transactions or economic situations, highlighting the monetary aspect of acquiring goods or services, "bear" focuses on the capacity to endure challenges or responsibilities. This distinction emphasizes the financial aspect of "afford" against the broader, often non-financial connotations of "bear."
In terms of usage, "afford" is typically followed by direct objects related to what one can financially manage, such as "afford a new car" or "afford tuition fees." On the other hand, "bear" can be followed by a wider variety of objects, including abstract concepts, such as "bear the weight," "bear a grudge," or "bear responsibility."
The concept of ability is central to both terms; however, "afford" refers specifically to economic ability, while "bear" refers to physical, emotional, or mental capacity. This highlights the nuanced ways in which capability is expressed in relation to financial means versus overall endurance or strength.
While "afford" can sometimes suggest a level of discretionary spending or the ability to purchase non-essential items, "bear" often carries a tone of necessity or obligation. Bearing something usually implies a lack of choice in the matter, dealing with something that is imposed rather than selected.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To have enough financial means
To endure or carry
Context
Financial transactions
Physical, emotional, responsibilities
Usage
Related to purchasing capability
Enduring or carrying burdens
Connotation
Economic capability
Capacity to endure
Implication
Discretionary spending
Obligation or necessity
Compare with Definitions
Afford
To be able to do something without adverse consequences.
We can't afford any more delays.
Bear
To carry or support a weight.
The table can bear the weight of the television.
Afford
To provide or supply an opportunity.
The job afforded him the chance to travel.
Bear
To endure an ordeal or difficulty.
She bore the pain without complaint.
Afford
To manage to do something without serious consequences.
I can't afford to lose focus now.
Bear
To have tolerance for.
I can't bear being lied to.
Afford
Economic capacity to purchase.
Can we afford the monthly payments?
Bear
To accept responsibility.
He bears the responsibility for the team's success.
Afford
Having the financial means for something.
They can afford a vacation this year.
Bear
To give birth to.
She bore three children.
Afford
To have the financial means for; bear the cost of
Able to afford a new car.
Bear
Something difficult or tiresome; a burden or chore.
That window can be a bear to open.
Afford
To manage to spare or give up
Can't afford an hour for lunch.
Bear
Bears are carnivoran mammals of the family Ursidae. They are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans.
Afford
To manage or bear without disadvantage or risk to oneself
Can afford to be tolerant.
Bear
To carry (something) on one's person from one place to another
Bore the suitcase to the station.
Afford
To make available or have as a necessary feature; provide
A tree that affords ample shade.
A sport affording good exercise.
Bear
To move from one place to another while containing or supporting (something); convey or transport
A train bearing grain.
Afford
To incur, stand, or bear without serious detriment, as an act which might under other circumstances be injurious; to be able or rich enough.
I think we can afford the extra hour it will take.
We can only afford to buy a small car at the moment.
Bear
To cause to move by or with steady pressure; push
A boat borne along by the current.
Afford
(obsolete) To offer, provide, or supply, as in selling, granting or expending, with profit, or without too great a loss.
Alfred affords his goods cheaper than Bantock.
Bear
To carry or hold in the mind over time; harbor
Bear a grudge.
Bear ill will.
Afford
(rare) To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural result, fruit, or issue.
Grapes afford wine.
Olives afford oil.
The earth affords fruit.
The sea affords an abundant supply of fish.
Bear
To have as a visible characteristic or attribute
A letter bearing his name.
Afford
To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter reference to its being the natural result; to provide; to furnish.
A good life affords consolation in old age.
Bear
To conduct (oneself) in a specified way
She bore herself with dignity.
Afford
To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural result, fruit, or issue; as, grapes afford wine; olives afford oil; the earth affords fruit; the sea affords an abundant supply of fish.
Bear
To hold up; support
This wall bears much of the weight of the roof.
Afford
To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter reference to its being the natural result; to provide; to furnish; as, a good life affords consolation in old age.
His tuneful Muse affords the sweetest numbers.
The quiet lanes . . . afford calmer retreats.
Bear
To be accountable for; assume
Bearing heavy responsibilities.
Afford
To offer, provide, or supply, as in selling, granting, expending, with profit, or without loss or too great injury; as, A affords his goods cheaper than B; a man can afford a sum yearly in charity.
Bear
To have a tolerance for; endure
Couldn't bear his lying.
Can't bear to see them leave.
Afford
To incur, stand, or bear without serious detriment, as an act which might under other circumstances be injurious; - with an auxiliary, as can, could, might, etc.; to be able or rich enough.
The merchant can afford to trade for smaller profits.
He could afford to sufferWith those whom he saw suffer.
Bear
To have grounds for; call for; warrant
This case bears investigation.
Afford
Be able to spare or give up;
I can't afford to spend two hours with this person
Bear
To give birth to
Bore six children.
Afford
Be the cause or source of;
He gave me a lot of trouble
Our meeting afforded much interesting information
Bear
To produce; yield
Plants bearing fruit.
Afford
Have the financial means to do something or buy something;
We can't afford to send our children to college
Can you afford this car?
Bear
To offer; render
I will bear witness to the deed.
Afford
Afford access to;
The door opens to the patio
The French doors give onto a terrace
Bear
To yield fruit; produce
Peach trees that bear every summer.
Bear
To have relevance or influence; apply
They studied how the relativity theory bears on the history of science.
Bear
To endure something with tolerance or patience
Bear with me while I explain what happened.
Bear
To extend or proceed in a specified direction
The road bears to the right at the bottom of the hill.
Bear
To be directed or aimed in a certain direction or at a target
The guns were brought to bear upon the approaching fleet.
Bear
Any of various usually omnivorous mammals of the family Ursidae that have a shaggy coat and a short tail and walk with the entire lower surface of the foot touching the ground.
Bear
Any of various other animals, such as the koala, that resemble a true bear.
Bear
A large, clumsy, or ill-mannered person.
Bear
One, such as an investor, that sells securities or commodities in expectation of falling prices.
Bear
A pessimist, especially regarding business conditions.
Bear
(Slang) Something that is difficult or unpleasant
The final exam was a bear.
Bear
(Slang) A highway patrol officer.
Bear
(Slang) A hairy, stocky gay man.
Bear
Characterized by falling prices
A bear market.
Bear
A large, generally omnivorous mammal (a few species are purely carnivorous or herbivorous), related to the dog and raccoon, having shaggy hair, a very small tail, and flat feet; a member of the family Ursidae.
Bear
The meat of this animal.
We had barbecued bear for dinner.
Bear
(figuratively) A rough, unmannerly, uncouth person.
Bear
(finance) An investor who sells commodities, securities, or futures in anticipation of a fall in prices.
Bear
A state policeman short for Smokey Bear.
Bear
(engineering) A portable punching machine.
Bear
(nautical) A block covered with coarse matting, used to scour the deck.
Bear
(cartomancy) The fifteenth Lenormand card.
Bear
(obsolete) A pillowcase; a fabric case or covering as for a pillow.
Bear
To endeavour to depress the price of, or prices in.
To bear a railroad stock
To bear the market
Bear
To carry or convey, literally or figuratively.
They came bearing gifts.
Judging from the look on his face, he wasn't bearing good news.
The little boat bore us to our destination.
This plant's light and fluffy seeds may be borne by the wind to remote islands.
Bear
To carry upon one's person, especially visibly; to be equipped with.
The right to bear arms
Bear
To wear. en
Bear
To carry (offspring in the womb), to be pregnant (with).
The scan showed that the ewe was bearing twins.
Bear
(transitive) To have or display (a mark or other feature).
She still bears the scars from a cycling accident.
The stone bears a short inscription.
This bears all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack.
Bear
(transitive) To display (a particular heraldic device) on a shield or coat of arms; to be entitled to wear or use (a heraldic device) as a coat of arms.
The shield bore a red cross.
Bear
(transitive) To present or exhibit (a particular outward appearance); to have (a certain look).
He bore the look of a defeated man.
Bear
(transitive) To have (a name, title, or designation).
The school still bears the name of its founder.
Bear
(transitive) To possess or enjoy (recognition, renown, a reputation, etc.); to have (a particular price, value, or worth).
The dictator bears a terrible reputation for cruelty.
Bear
To have (interest or a specified rate of interest) stipulated in its terms.
The bond bears a fixed interest rate of 3.5%.
Bear
To have (an appendage, organ, etc.) as part of the body; (of a part of the body) to have (an appendage).
Only the male Indian elephant bears tusks.
Bear
(transitive) To carry or hold in the mind; to experience, entertain, harbour (an idea, feeling, or emotion).
To bear a grudge, to bear ill will
Bear
To feel and show (respect, reverence, loyalty, etc.) to, towards, or unto a person or thing.
The brothers had always borne one another respect.
Bear
(transitive) To possess inherently (a quality, attribute, power, or capacity); to have and display as an essential characteristic.
To bear life
Bear
To have (a relation, correspondence, etc.) to something else.
The punishment bears no relation to the crime.
Bear
(transitive) To give (written or oral testimony or evidence); (figurative) to provide or constitute (evidence or proof), give witness.
His achievements bear testimony to his ability.
The jury could see he was bearing false witness.
Bear
(transitive) To have (a certain meaning, intent, or effect).
This word no longer bears its original meaning.
Bear
To behave or conduct (oneself).
She bore herself well throughout the ordeal.
Bear
To possess and use, to exercise (power or influence); to hold (an office, rank, or position).
Bear
To carry a burden or burdens.
Bear
To take or bring (a person) with oneself; to conduct.
Bear
To support, sustain, or endure.
Bear
(transitive) To support or sustain; to hold up.
This stone bears most of the weight.
Bear
To endure or withstand (hardship, scrutiny, etc.); to tolerate; to be patient (with).
The pain is too much for me to bear.
I would never move to Texas — I can't bear heat.
This reasoning will not bear much analysis.
Please bear with me as I try to find the book you need.
Bear
(transitive) To sustain, or be answerable for (blame, expense, responsibility, etc.).
The hirer must bear the cost of any repairs.
Bear
(transitive) To admit or be capable of (a meaning); to suffer or sustain without violence, injury, or change.
Bear
(transitive) To warrant, justify the need for.
This storm definitely bears monitoring.
Bear
To support, keep up, or maintain.
Bear
(transitive) To afford, to be something to someone, to supply with something. en
Bear
(transitive) To carry on, or maintain; to have. en
Bear
To press or impinge upon.
Bear
To push, thrust, press.
The rope has frayed where it bears on the rim of the wheel.
Bear
To take effect; to have influence or force; to be relevant.
To bring arguments to bear
How does this bear on the question?
Bear
Of a weapon, to be aimed at an enemy or other target.
The cannons were wheeled around to bear upon the advancing troops.
Bear
To produce, yield, give birth to.
Bear
To give birth to (someone or something) may take the father of the direct object as an indirect object.
In Troy she becomes Paris’ wife, bearing him several children, all of whom die in infancy.
Bear
To produce or yield something, such as fruit or crops.
This year our apple trees bore a good crop of fruit.
Bear
To be, or head, in a specific direction or azimuth (from somewhere).
Carry on past the church and then bear left at the junction.
By my readings, we're bearing due south, so we should turn about ten degrees east.
Great Falls bears north of Bozeman.
Bear
To gain or win.
Bear
Characterized by declining prices in securities markets or by belief that the prices will fall.
The great bear market starting in 1929 scared a whole generation of investors.
Bear
To support or sustain; to hold up.
Bear
To support and remove or carry; to convey.
I 'll bear your logs the while.
Bear
To conduct; to bring; - said of persons.
Bear them to my house.
Bear
To possess and use, as power; to exercise.
Every man should bear rule in his own house.
Bear
To sustain; to have on (written or inscribed, or as a mark), as, the tablet bears this inscription.
Bear
To possess or carry, as a mark of authority or distinction; to wear; as, to bear a sword, badge, or name.
Bear
To possess mentally; to carry or hold in the mind; to entertain; to harbor
The ancient grudge I bear him.
Bear
To endure; to tolerate; to undergo; to suffer.
Should such a man, too fond to rule alone,Bear, like the Turk, no brother near the throne.
I cannot bearThe murmur of this lake to hear.
My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Bear
To gain or win.
Some think to bear it by speaking a great word.
She was . . . found not guilty, through bearing of friends and bribing of the judge.
Bear
To sustain, or be answerable for, as blame, expense, responsibility, etc.
He shall bear their iniquities.
Somewhat that will bear your charges.
Bear
To render or give; to bring forward.
Bear
To carry on, or maintain; to have.
Bear
To admit or be capable of; that is, to suffer or sustain without violence, injury, or change.
In all criminal cases the most favorable interpretation should be put on words that they can possibly bear.
Bear
To manage, wield, or direct.
Hath he borne himself penitently in prison?
Bear
To afford; to be to; to supply with.
His faithful dog shall bear him company.
Bear
To bring forth or produce; to yield; as, to bear apples; to bear children; to bear interest.
Here dwelt the man divine whom Samos bore.
Bear
To produce, as fruit; to be fruitful, in opposition to barrenness.
This age to blossom, and the next to bear.
Bear
To suffer, as in carrying a burden.
But man is born to bear.
Bear
To endure with patience; to be patient.
I can not, can not bear.
Bear
To press; - with on or upon, or against.
These men bear hard on the suspected party.
Bear
To take effect; to have influence or force; as, to bring matters to bear.
Bear
To relate or refer; - with on or upon; as, how does this bear on the question?
Bear
To have a certain meaning, intent, or effect.
Her sentence bore that she should stand a certain time upon the platform.
Bear
To be situated, as to the point of compass, with respect to something else; as, the land bears N. by E.
Bear
To endeavor to depress the price of, or prices in; as, to bear a railroad stock; to bear the market.
Bear
A bier.
Bear
Any species of the genus Ursus, and of the closely allied genera. Bears are plantigrade Carnivora, but they live largely on fruit and insects.
Bear
An animal which has some resemblance to a bear in form or habits, but no real affinity; as, the woolly bear; ant bear; water bear; sea bear.
Bear
One of two constellations in the northern hemisphere, called respectively the Great Bear and the Lesser Bear, or Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
Bear
Metaphorically: A brutal, coarse, or morose person.
Bear
A person who sells stocks or securities for future delivery in expectation of a fall in the market.
Bear
A portable punching machine.
Bear
A block covered with coarse matting; - used to scour the deck.
Bear
Barley; the six-rowed barley or the four-rowed barley, commonly the former (Hordeum hexastichon or Hordeum vulgare).
Bear
Massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
Bear
An investor with a pessimistic market outlook; an investor who expects prices to fall and so sells now in order to buy later at a lower price
Bear
Have;
Bear a resemblance
Bear a signature
Bear
Give birth (to a newborn);
My wife had twins yesterday!
Bear
Put up with something or somebody unpleasant;
I cannot bear his constant criticism
The new secretary had to endure a lot of unprofessional remarks
He learned to tolerate the heat
She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage
Bear
Move while holding up or supporting;
Bear gifts
Bear a heavy load
Bear news
Bearing orders
Bear
Bring forth,
The apple tree bore delicious apples this year
The unidentified plant bore gorgeous flowers
Bear
Take on as one's own the expenses or debts of another person;
I'll accept the charges
She agreed to bear the responsibility
Bear
Contain or hold; have within;
The jar carries wine
The canteen holds fresh water
This can contains water
Bear
Bring in;
Interest-bearing accounts
How much does this savings certificate pay annually?
Bear
Have on one's person;
He wore a red ribbon
Bear a scar
Bear
Behave in a certain manner;
She carried herself well
He bore himself with dignity
They conducted themselves well during these difficult times
Bear
Have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices;
She bears the title of Duchess
He held the governorship for almost a decade
Bear
Support or hold in a certain manner;
She holds her head high
He carried himself upright
Bear
Be pregnant with;
She is bearing his child
The are expecting another child in January
I am carrying his child
Common Curiosities
How does bear relate to emotions?
"Bear" can describe enduring or dealing with emotional burdens or stress.
Can afford imply opportunities?
Yes, afford can also imply the provision or availability of opportunities or possibilities.
What does it mean to afford something?
To afford something means having the financial means to purchase or sustain it without hardship.
Is afford only related to money?
Primarily, yes. Afford usually concerns financial capacity, though it can metaphorically relate to other forms of capacity.
What is an example of bear used physically?
"The bridge is designed to bear heavy loads during rush hour."
Can afford be used without specifying what is afforded?
Typically, afford is used with an object or action one is financially capable of doing.
Is bearing always negative?
While often associated with challenges, bearing something can also relate to responsibilities or roles viewed positively.
How do you use afford in a sentence?
"After months of saving, they could finally afford the down payment on their house."
Can bear be used in a financial context?
While less common, "bear" can be used in financial contexts to describe enduring costs or losses.
Can everyone afford what they want?
No, being able to afford something depends on one's financial situation and priorities.
Does bear imply strength?
Yes, to bear something often implies a degree of strength, endurance, or capacity.
Is bear used only in serious contexts?
No, bear can be used in both serious and less serious contexts, depending on the situation.
Can afford relate to time?
Indirectly, yes. Saying one cannot afford to spend time on something implies opportunity costs.
Why is it important to know what you can bear?
Understanding one's limits in enduring physical, emotional, or mental burdens is crucial for well-being and effective problem-solving.
How does culture impact what we afford?
Cultural values and societal norms can influence spending priorities and perceptions of what is essential.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
