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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Fierce: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：intensely competitive or serious (fierce)

fierce 🔊

/fɪrs/

adj.

Used to describe competition or arguments that are very strong, serious, and involve a lot of effort.

Fierce competition illustrated by a tense business argument in a modern office meeting.

intensely competitive or serious 🔊

➕

/ɪnˈtensli kəmˈpetɪtɪv ɔːr ˈsɪriəs/

adj.

Describes situations, such as competitions or arguments, that are extremely strong, serious, and involve significant effort.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from Latin 'ferus' meaning wild.

💡 Mnemonic

A fierce competitor is as intense as a roaring fire.

📖 Example

Getting into that top university involves fierce competition among thousands of students. 🔊 Admission to that elite university requires facing extremely intense competition from numerous applicants.

🔗 Collocations

fierce competition – intense competitive situation

fierce debate – heated argument or discussion

fierce rivalry – strong opposition between competitors

🔄 Synonyms

intense (adj.) – extremely strong or severe

strong (adj.) – having great power or force

vigorous (adj.) – done with great energy and effort

🚫 Antonyms

mild (adj.) – not strong or severe

gentle (adj.) – soft or moderate in action

weak (adj.) – lacking strength or intensity

🌱 Derivatives

fiercely (adv.) – in an intense or aggressive manner

fierceness (n.) – the quality of being fierce

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'ferus' (wild), entered English via Old French, evolving from describing wild animals to intense competitions or aggressive demeanor.

Meaning 2：aggressively threatening (fierce)

fierce 🔊

/fɪrs/

adj.

Used to describe an animal or person that looks very angry, aggressive, and ready to attack or defend.

Fierce animal aggression shown by a protective lioness growling in the savannah.

aggressively threatening 🔊

➕

/əˈɡresɪvli ˈθretnɪŋ/

adj.

Describes an animal or person that appears very angry, aggressive, and ready to attack or defend.

📁 Category：Animal Protection 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The mother bear looked fierce when she thought we were getting too close to her cubs. 🔊 The bear appeared highly aggressive when we neared her offspring.

🔗 Collocations

fierce look – aggressive or threatening appearance

fierce animal – wild and aggressive creature

fierce defender – protective guardian ready to fight

🔄 Synonyms

aggressive (adj.) – ready to attack or confront

ferocious (adj.) – savagely fierce or violent

savage (adj.) – fierce, violent, and uncontrolled

🚫 Antonyms

gentle (adj.) – mild and kind in nature

docile (adj.) – easily managed or controlled

calm (adj.) – peaceful and not agitated

🌱 Derivatives

fiercely (adv.) – in an intense or aggressive manner

fierceness (n.) – the quality of being fierce