Carebear means: A player who is against griefers; one who dislikes, or tries to prevent, trouble (often PvP related) in the game world.. It is informal slang, fine in casual speech but not suited to formal contexts. It is generally derogatory or offensive; worth a quiet word about how it lands on the person being described. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
carebear
(slang, derogatory, video games) A player who is against griefers; one who dislikes, or tries to prevent, trouble (often PvP related) in the game world.
Definitions
(slang, derogatory, video games) A player who is against griefers; one who dislikes, or tries to prevent, trouble (often PvP related) in the game world.
Carebear means: A player who is against griefers; one who dislikes, or tries to prevent, trouble (often PvP related) in the game world.. It is informal slang, fine in casual speech but not suited to formal contexts. It is generally derogatory or offensive; worth a quiet word about how it lands on the person being described. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
carebear means: A player who is against griefers; one who dislikes, or tries to prevent, trouble (often PvP related) in the game world.. Register: very informal, often derogatory or vulgar. Avoid in formal, business, academic, or polite writing. Even in casual speech the word can offend and is best left out of a learner's active vocabulary. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
“that carebear deffenetly needs friends though”
— Bluesky· May 2026
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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Other words near "carebear" (C)
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Related terms
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Semantically related
- Care Bear75%
(endearing, colloquial, slang) A kind and caring person.
- griefer67%
(online gaming) One who griefs: a player who plays a game primarily to reduce other players’ enjoyment of it.
- Care Bear66%
Any of a brand of cheerful bear figures, seen on greeting cards and as stuffed toys.
- pedobear63%
(internet slang) A pedophile.
- grief61%
To deliberately ruin another player's experience — blocking their build, stealing resources, sabotaging objectives. A "griefer" is hated in every gaming community.