English Reference

Word

fighter

Phoneticsfight·er, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈfaɪtɝ/

UK/fˈaɪtɐ/

Definitions

01soldier or combatant

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

n. a person who fights in a battle or war.

n. an individual engaged in physical combat, typically a soldier or warrior.

“The brave fighters defended the city for many weeks.”

“The resistance fighters operated from the dense forests, launching strategic strikes against the occupying forces' supply lines.”

Antonyms

02athlete in combat sports

A2 · Elementary Countable noun Sports

n. someone who takes part in sports like boxing or karate.

n. a professional or amateur participant in combat sports, such as boxing, wrestling, or mixed martial arts.

“The two fighters shook hands before the boxing match started.”

“The young fighter spent months in a high-altitude training camp to improve his cardiovascular endurance before the title bout.”

Synonyms

boxermartial artistpugilist

03determined person

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Literary

n. someone who shows great courage and does not give up when things are very difficult.

n. a person characterized by strong determination and resilience, especially when facing illness or severe personal adversity.

“She is a real fighter and refused to let her illness stop her from working.”

“Despite the grim prognosis, he remained a fighter, maintaining a positive outlook that inspired everyone in the ward.”

Synonyms

04military aircraft

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a fast military plane designed to attack other planes.

n. a high-speed military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat against other aircraft.

“The sound of fighter jets flying over the house was very loud.”

“The air force deployed several squadrons of advanced fighters to establish air superiority over the disputed territory.”

Synonyms

fighter jetwarplane

05firefighter

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a person whose job is to stop fires.

n. a person employed to extinguish fires; a shortened form of firefighter.

“The local fighters arrived quickly to put out the forest fire.”

“The veteran fighter adjusted his oxygen mask before entering the smoke-filled apartment complex to search for survivors.”

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “fighter” in context.

01. fighter jets

Etymology

From Middle English fightere, fyghtor, feghtere, feghtare, fiȝtare, fiȝtere, from Old English feohtere. Equivalent to fight + -er.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Related words

Idioms

The word in film

The Fighter · 2010 · Biography

Directed by:
David O. Russell
Starring:
Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Amy Adams

Mark Wahlberg stars in this David O. Russell drama about a professional boxer trying to find success in the ring. The story follows his difficult journey through the world of combat sports while dealing with his complicated family.

This entry

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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Common
Level
A2 · Elementary
Updated

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