What does "tiger" mean?

1. (the animal) a large wild cat from Asia that has orange fur with black stripes. 2. (a fierce person) someone who is very strong, energetic, or determined. 3. (fast-growing economy) a country whose economy is growing very quickly. 4. (Chinese zodiac) the third animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese calendar. 5. (sports team member) a player or fan of a sports team that uses a tiger as its mascot.

tiger — meaning, definition & examples

Word

01the animal

A1 · Beginner Countable noun

n. a large wild cat from Asia that has orange fur with black stripes.

n. a large carnivorous mammal, Panthera tigris, native to Asia and characterised by a tawny coat with dark transverse stripes.

“The tiger moved silently through the tall grass while hunting for its prey.”

“Conservationists are working to expand protected corridors for the Siberian tiger, whose habitat has been severely fragmented by industrial logging.”

Synonyms

big catfeline

02a fierce person

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. someone who is very strong, energetic, or determined.

n. a person regarded as possessing the qualities of a tiger, such as ferocity, courage, or relentless energy.

“She is a real tiger in the boardroom and never backs down from a challenge.”

“The young lawyer earned a reputation as a tiger in the courtroom, known for his aggressive cross-examinations and refusal to concede even minor points.”

Synonyms

powerhouse fighter

Antonyms

wimp coward

03fast-growing economy

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Academic

n. a country whose economy is growing very quickly.

n. a country or region experiencing rapid economic growth, particularly used in reference to several nations in East and Southeast Asia.

“Many investors are looking for opportunities in the new tiger economies of Southeast Asia.”

“The report analyses how the original tiger economies transitioned from manufacturing-based growth to high-tech service sectors within a single generation.”

Synonyms

emerging marketeconomic power

04Chinese zodiac

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Religion

n. the third animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese calendar.

n. the third sign of the Chinese zodiac, representing those born in specific years and associated with bravery and unpredictability.

“According to the Chinese zodiac, people born in the Year of the Tiger are often very brave.”

“The festivities for the Lunar New Year featured elaborate decorations celebrating the Tiger, the sign governing the coming twelve-month cycle.”

05sports team member

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Sports Informal

n. a player or fan of a sports team that uses a tiger as its mascot.

n. a member, supporter, or affiliate of a sports club whose nickname or mascot is a tiger, such as Hull City or Richmond.

“The Tigers won their home game yesterday with a last-minute goal.”

“Thousands of Tigers fans travelled to the stadium, painting their faces orange and black to support the team in the final.”

From Middle English tygre, in part from Old English tigras (pl.), in part from Anglo-Norman tigre, both from Latin tigris, from Ancient Greek τίγρις (tígris), from Iranian (compare Avestan 𐬙𐬌𐬔𐬭𐬌 (tigri, “arrow”), 𐬙𐬌𐬖𐬭𐬀 (tiγra, “pointed”)). Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *(s)teyg- (“to pierce, prick, be sharp”). Compare English stick.

From the mascot of Princeton (a tiger), which led to early cheerleaders calling out "Tiger" at the end of a cheer for the Princeton team.

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