Word
strife
US/ˈstɹaɪf/
UK/stɹˈaɪf/
Definitions
01conflict or disagreement
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal · Literary
n. angry or violent disagreement between two people or groups.
n. bitter, sometimes violent conflict or dissension between opposing parties.
“The country has suffered through years of civil strife and economic problems.”
“The region has been plagued by ethnic strife for decades, hindering any meaningful attempts at diplomatic reconciliation.”
02trouble or difficulty
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Literary · Informal
n. general trouble, problems, or hard work.
n. earnest endeavor or exertion; colloquially, any form of trouble or hardship.
“He wanted a quiet life away from the strife of the city.”
“After years of professional strife and constant deadlines, she decided to retire to a small coastal village.”
Usage
Commonly paired with adjectives like 'civil', 'internal', or 'political'.
Real-World Examples
“Yet tension and strife are never far away – and these days they’re encroaching from abroad.” “Years of Yemeni civil strife entered a new phase in 2014 when Houthis seized the capital Sanaa from the increasingly unpopular government of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.” Etymology
From Middle English strif, stryf, striffe, from Old French estrif, noun derived from estriver, from Frankish *strīban; compare Dutch strijven. More at strive.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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 · Advanced
- Updated
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