Word
fierce
US/ˈfɪɹs/
UK/fˈiəs/
Definitions
01violent or aggressive
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. very violent, angry, or dangerous.
adj. exhibiting or characterised by physical violence, ferocity, or aggression.
“The hikers stayed away from the fierce dog guarding the farm gate.”
“The fierce storm battered the coastline for three days, causing significant structural damage to the older wooden piers.”
02intense or strong
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. showing very strong feelings or a lot of energy.
adj. marked by extreme intensity, power, or resolute activity.
“There is fierce competition between the two local football teams.”
“The candidate faced fierce opposition from within her own party regarding the proposed changes to the tax code.”
03bold and stylish
C1 · Advanced Informal · Slang
adj. looking very confident, powerful, and fashionable.
adj. exhibiting exceptional quality, boldness, or an impressive personal presence.
“She looked absolutely fierce in that bright red suit at the party.”
“The model walked down the runway with a fierce expression that perfectly complemented the avant-garde collection.”
Usage
Often used as a compliment in fashion or performance contexts.
Teaching tip
This sense is highly positive in modern slang, particularly within LGBTQ+ and fashion communities, whereas the primary sense is often negative.
Synonyms
04extremely
C2 · Proficiency Dialect · Informal · British English
adv. used to mean 'very' or 'extremely'.
adv. functioning as an intensifier meaning 'extremely' or 'very'.
“It is fierce cold outside today, so make sure you wear a hat.”
“The traffic was fierce heavy on the way into the city, delaying the start of the meeting by nearly an hour.”
Usage
Commonly used in Irish English as an intensifier before an adjective.
Teaching tip
This is a regional dialect use; learners should be aware of it when visiting Ireland but avoid using it in formal writing.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “fierce” in context.
Verb
01. face fierce opposition
“The developers faced fierce opposition from residents who wanted to preserve the park.”
verb + adj + noun
02. look fierce
“She looked absolutely fierce in that designer gown on the red carpet.”
verb + adj
Adjective
03. fierce competition
“The tech giants are locked in fierce competition to dominate the artificial intelligence market.”
adj + noun
04. fierce about protecting
“The agency is fierce about protecting the privacy of its high-profile clients.”
adj + prep
05. fierce debate
“The new environmental policy sparked a fierce debate in parliament yesterday.”
adj + noun
06. fierce loyalty
“She inspired fierce loyalty among her employees, who refused to leave even during the crisis.”
adj + noun
07. fierce resistance
“The proposed tax reforms met with fierce resistance from the local business community.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“But it has struggled to thrive in recent years amid fierce competition from online giants like Amazon, with sales stagnating.” “I admire its fierce independence: a woman stepping outside prescribed roles to pursue creativity on her own terms.” “There, fierce winds blow almost continuously around Antarctica, drawing deeper water up from below.” Etymology
From Middle English fers, fiers, borrowed from Old French fers (“wild", "ferocious”), nominative of fer, from Latin ferus (“wild", "untamed”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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