Bare means uncovered, empty, or having nothing extra. When tree branches are bare in winter, they have no leaves. A bare floor has no carpet or rugs on it. If your walls are bare, you haven't hung any pictures or posters yet.

The word suggests a kind of plainness or minimalism. When a cupboard is bare, it contains little or no food. When someone says “the bare minimum,” they mean the absolute least amount needed to accomplish something. A room with just bare walls and a single light bulb feels stark and unwelcoming compared to a furnished, decorated space.

You might encounter bare in the phrase bare necessities, meaning only the most essential things. If you're packing for a camping trip and bringing just the bare necessities, you're taking only what you absolutely need: a tent, sleeping bag, and food, but no extras like games or extra clothes.

The word can also mean to uncover or reveal something: a dog might bare its teeth when growling, showing them as a warning.

Don't confuse bare with bear: a bear is a large animal, while bare means empty or uncovered. You might see a bear with bare patches in its fur, but you wouldn't see a bare with bear patches on it.