the caterpillar of any of various tiger moths, esp Arctia caja of Europe and Isia isabella of North America, having a dense covering of soft hairs
woolly bear in American English
see tiger moth
woolly bear in American English
noun
the caterpillar of any of several moths, as a tiger moth, having a dense coat of woolly hairs
Word origin
[1835–45]This word is first recorded in the period 1835–45. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: crosshead, daisy chain, ecumenical, grandstand, protein
Examples of 'woolly bear' in a sentence
woolly bear
Sadly, its appearance here coincides with the disappearance of its cousin, the garden tiger moth - of 'woolly bear' caterpillar fame.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Its hairy orange caterpillars are the so-called woolly bears that walk along garden paths.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They are called woolly bears because they have long, thick hairs on their body.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Woolly bears are often seen walking determinedly along garden paths before they turn into chrysalids.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It comes from furry brown caterpillars that are sometimes seen walking along paths, and are called 'woolly bears'.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Its hairy caterpillars are sometimes seen walking rapidly along a garden path, andare known as woolly bears.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It has hairy brown caterpillars that can sometimes be seen walking fast along garden paths, and are known as 'woolly bears'.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
It is best known for its caterpillars, which are very hairy, and are commonly called 'woolly bears'.