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fierce
/fɪərs/
aggressive or intense
The lion gave a fierce roar.
The lion made a loud, aggressive sound.
neutral
having or displaying an intense or ferocious aggressiveness.
A fierce debate broke out among the team members.
An intense and heated argument started among the team.
The company faced fierce competition in the market.
The company encountered strong and aggressive rivalry.
Often used to describe physical strength, emotions, or competitive situations.
neutral
extremely strong or powerful.
She has a fierce determination to succeed.
She is extremely determined to achieve her goals.
The storm brought fierce winds and heavy rain.
The storm was characterized by very strong winds and rain.
Can describe natural forces, emotions, or personal qualities.
Collocations
fierce competitionintense rivalryfierce storma very strong and destructive stormfierce loyaltyextremely strong and unwavering loyalty
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'fear'
'Fierce' describes intensity or aggression, while 'fear' describes a feeling of being scared. They are not related.
Gold Rule
Context matters
Use 'fierce' to emphasize strength or intensity, not just anger. For example, 'fierce loyalty' is positive, while 'fierce attack' is negative.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'fiers' (proud, brave), from Old French 'fier' (proud, fierce), from Latin 'ferus' (wild, untamed). The sense of 'aggressive' developed in the 16th century.
Usage Notes
Commonly used to describe both physical and emotional intensity. Often implies a sense of danger or unpredictability. Can be used positively (e.g., fierce determination) or negatively (e.g., fierce attack).
English Dictionary