Bewhiskered means having whiskers or a beard. You might read about a bewhiskered sea captain in an adventure novel, his face covered with thick, bristly whiskers from months at sea. A bewhiskered grandfather might have a gray beard that tickles when he hugs you.

The word comes from “whiskers,” which can mean either facial hair on humans or the long, sensitive hairs that grow from the faces of cats, mice, seals, and other animals. A bewhiskered cat has prominent whiskers sprouting from its muzzle, helping it sense its surroundings in the dark.

Writers often use bewhiskered to create a vivid image of someone or something. When you read about a bewhiskered old wizard or a bewhiskered walrus, you immediately picture those distinctive whiskers. The word has a slightly old-fashioned, literary quality, the kind you'd find in classic stories rather than everyday conversation. It's more colorful and specific than simply saying “a man with a beard” or “a cat with whiskers.”