fierce
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.very violent, angry, or dangerous.
adj.exhibiting or characterised by physical violence, ferocity, or aggression.
Simple“The hikers stayed away from the fierce dog guarding the farm gate.”
In context“The fierce storm battered the coastline for three days, causing significant structural damage to the older wooden piers.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.showing very strong feelings or a lot of energy.
adj.marked by extreme intensity, power, or resolute activity.
Simple“There is fierce competition between the two local football teams.”
In context“The candidate faced fierce opposition from within her own party regarding the proposed changes to the tax code.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
adj.looking very confident, powerful, and fashionable.
adj.exhibiting exceptional quality, boldness, or an impressive personal presence.
Simple“She looked absolutely fierce in that bright red suit at the party.”
In context“The model walked down the runway with a fierce expression that perfectly complemented the avant-garde collection.”
UsageOften used as a compliment in fashion or performance contexts.
Teacher's tipThis sense is highly positive in modern slang, particularly within LGBTQ+ and fashion communities, whereas the primary sense is often negative.
Synonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
adv.used to mean 'very' or 'extremely'.
adv.functioning as an intensifier meaning 'extremely' or 'very'.
Simple“It is fierce cold outside today, so make sure you wear a hat.”
In context“The traffic was fierce heavy on the way into the city, delaying the start of the meeting by nearly an hour.”
UsageCommonly used in Irish English as an intensifier before an adjective.
Teacher's tipThis is a regional dialect use; learners should be aware of it when visiting Ireland but avoid using it in formal writing.
Usage fierce competition
“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.”
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.