Words / B1

FEERS/fɪəs/

Fierce means very strong, angry, or competitive: fierce opposition; a fierce storm; fierce competition. Strong is weaker; ferocious is stronger and more animal. Fierce is common in UK news for debate and weather. Do not call a mildly spicy sauce fierce. Fierce loyalty is a collocation.

Meaning

Very strong, angry, or competitive.

Examples

• “There was fierce competition for the graduate scheme.”
• “Fierce winds closed the bridge, which is the weather sense.”

Good to know

fierce competition / opposition / storm. Weaker: strong. Stronger: ferocious. Collocation: fierce loyalty. Not mild spice.

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