fierce
gb/fˈɪɹs/ us/fˈɪɹs/
B1
English
~ 2200
ádáz, harcias, vad, ütős, feltűnő, vagány, erős, heves, perzselő
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is fierce
The two teams faced fierce competition for the championship.
A két csapat között ádáz küzdelem folyt a bajnoki címért.
She gave me a fierce look when I interrupted her.
Vad tekintettel nézett rám, amikor félbeszakítottam.
There was fierce resistance from the local community to the proposed changes.
The lion let out a fierce roar.
He has a fierce determination to succeed.
Learner examples
The dog looked fierce and barked loudly.
A kutya vadnak tűnt, és hangosan ugatott.
She has a fierce will to win.
Nagyon elszántan akar nyerni.
The storm was fierce last night.
He gave a fierce answer to the question.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'fierce' with 'wild' or 'angry'. While 'fierce' can mean angry, it more broadly means intense and forceful, not necessarily uncontrolled.
Meaning
Very intense and aggressive
Collocations
fierce competition
|fierce debate
|fierce attack
|fierce argument
|fierce criticism
Synonyms
aggressive (Focuses more on readiness to attack or confront; 'fierce' can include emotional intensity without physical aggression.)
|
intense (Emphasizes strong force or feeling but not necessarily hostility.)
Antonyms
gentle (Suggests mildness and kindness, the opposite of aggressive or forceful.)
Themes
emotions
|personality
|conflict
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very strong and aggressive in behavior or feeling.
Having a strong, aggressive, and forceful quality in manner, action, or emotion.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] looks fierce
She wore a fierce red dress that turned heads.
Olyan ütős piros ruhát viselt, hogy mindenki utánafordult.
His fierce style made him stand out in the crowd.
Ütős stílusa miatt kitűnt a tömegből.
The model gave a fierce pose for the camera.
That car has a fierce design with sharp angles.
Learner examples
Her dress is fierce and beautiful.
A ruhája ütős és gyönyörű.
He has a fierce smile.
Nagyon feltűnő mosolya van.
The house has a fierce look at night.
Meaning
Strong and striking in appearance
Collocations
fierce look
|fierce style
|fierce outfit
Synonyms
bold (Emphasizes confidence and striking style rather than aggression.)
|
formidable (Suggests inspiring respect or fear due to impressive qualities.)
Antonyms
plain (Simple and without striking features.)
Themes
appearance
|fashion
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Looking very strong, bold, or impressive.
Having a strikingly strong, bold, or impressive appearance or effect.
B1
3
Usage pattern:
[something] is fierce
A fierce storm hit the coast last night.
Tegnap éjjel heves vihar csapott le a partvidékre.
They worked through the fierce heat of the desert.
A sivatag perzselő hőségében is tovább dolgoztak.
The wildfire spread quickly due to fierce winds.
Learner examples
The sun is fierce today.
Ma perzselően süt a nap.
A fierce wind blew my hat away.
Az erős szél elfújta a kalapomat.
We had a fierce storm yesterday.
Meaning
Very strong or severe
Collocations
fierce storm
|fierce heat
|fierce wind
Synonyms
violent (Emphasizes destructive physical force.)
|
severe (Highlights extreme conditions or seriousness.)
Antonyms
mild (Gentle and not extreme in force or degree.)
Themes
weather
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very strong or extreme.
Very strong, violent, or extreme in force, degree, or intensity.
Grammar
Dictionary form
fierce
IPA
GB/fˈɪɹs/
US/fˈɪɹs/
Syllables & stress
fierce (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (fierce)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: fierce
- Comparative: fiercer
- Superlative: fiercest
Word family
Expressions
fierce debate
1/fˈɪɹs dɪbˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
Very intense argument or discussion
A discussion where people strongly disagree and speak with passion.
Examples
- The policy change led to a fierce debate in parliament.
- There was a fierce debate about the new building project.
fierce determination
1/fˈɪɹs dɪtˌɚmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Very strong will to succeed
A very strong feeling of wanting to do something successfully.
Examples
- She showed fierce determination in completing the marathon.
- His fierce determination helped him overcome many obstacles.
fierce competition
1/fˈɪɹs kˌɑmpətˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Very intense competition
Competition that is very strong and difficult.
Examples
- There is fierce competition for jobs in the city.
- There is fierce competition in the fashion industry.
- The market faces fierce competition from overseas companies.
- Fierce competition forced smaller shops to close.