# fierce

/ˈfɪɹs/ (US) · /fˈiəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fierce
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. violent or aggressive

adjective · CEFR B2

very violent, angry, or dangerous.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. intense or strong

adjective · CEFR B2

showing very strong feelings or a lot of energy.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. bold and stylish

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

looking very confident, powerful, and fashionable.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. extremely

adverb · CEFR C2 · Dialect · Informal · British English

used to mean 'very' or 'extremely'.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The fierce wind blew the umbrella out of my hand.
- The two companies are in fierce competition to win the new government contract.
- The athlete's fierce determination to succeed was evident in her rigorous training schedule and her refusal to accept anything less than a gold medal.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.