Word
dogfight
Phoneticsdog·fight, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdɑɡˌfaɪt/
UK/dˈɒɡfaɪt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a close fight between fighter planes in the sky, where each pilot tries to shoot down the other. You also use it for any fierce, close contest, like in sports or an election.
n. close-range aerial combat between fighter aircraft, involving aggressive manoeuvring to gain firing position. Extended metaphorically to any fiercely contested struggle or rivalry.
Examples
“Two fighter jets engage in a fierce dogfight.”
“The film shows a dogfight over the Pacific, with pilots twisting and diving to get behind the enemy.”
“What began as a routine patrol escalated into a swirling dogfight that tested both pilots' nerve, fuel reserves, and mastery of their machines.”
Examples
simple
“Two fighter jets engage in a fierce dogfight.”
contextual
“The film shows a dogfight over the Pacific, with pilots twisting and diving to get behind the enemy.”
complex
“What began as a routine patrol escalated into a swirling dogfight that tested both pilots' nerve, fuel reserves, and mastery of their machines.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “dogfight” in context.
Verb
01. dogfight erupts
“A dogfight erupted above the city as enemy jets approached.”
noun + verb
02. dogfight intensifies
“The dogfight intensified as more planes joined the battle.”
noun + verb
03. engage in dogfight
“The jets engaged in a dogfight that lasted ten minutes.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
04. aerial dogfight
“The film opens with an aerial dogfight over the Pacific.”
adj + noun
05. fierce dogfight
“The championship turned into a fierce dogfight in the final minutes.”
adj + noun
06. political dogfight
“The debate turned into a political dogfight over taxes.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. heat of dogfight
“In the heat of the dogfight, he lost contact with his wingman.”
noun + prep + noun
08. midst of dogfight
“In the midst of the dogfight, her radio went silent.”
noun + prep + noun
09. a three-way dogfight for
“The election became a three-way dogfight for the party leadership.”
10. get drawn into a dogfight
“He did not want to get drawn into a dogfight with rivals.”
11. locked in a dogfight
“The two teams are locked in a dogfight for first place.”
12. survive a midair dogfight
“The veteran pilot survived a midair dogfight in 1944.”
Real-World Examples
“German and British biplane pilots dueled overhead in crude dogfights—sometimes shooting at each other with pistols.” “In less than a calendar year the teams went from the initial installation of live AI agents into the X-62A’s systems, to demonstrating the first AI versus human within-visual-range engagements, otherwise known as a dogfight.” Etymology
From dog + fight.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/dogfight