fierce

UK: /ˈfɪə^rs/ US: /fɪrs/ ,(fērs)

Inflections of 'fierce' (adj):

fiercer

adj comparative

fiercest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

fierce /fɪrs/   adj., fierc•er, fierc•est. 

1. wild, savage, or hostile:
   fierce beasts.
2. violent in force, intensity, etc.:
   a fierce hurricane.
3. furiously eager or intense:
   fierce competition.
4. Informal Terms extremely bad or severe:
   a fierce cold.

fierce•ly, adv. 
fierce•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fierce  (fērs), adj., fierc•er, fierc•est. 

1. menacingly wild, savage, or hostile:
   fierce animals; a fierce look.
2. violent in force, intensity, etc.:
   fierce winds.
3. furiously eager or intense:
   fierce competition.
4. Informal Terms extremely bad or severe:
   a fierce cold.

• Latin ferus wild, fierce; compare feral¹, ferocious
• Anglo-French fers, Old French fiers (nominative)
• Middle English fiers 1250–1300

fierce′ly, adv. 
fierce′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. untamed; cruel, fell, brutal; barbarous, bloodthirsty, murderous.
  Fierce, ferocious, truculent suggest vehemence and violence of temper, manner, or action:
  fierce in repelling a foe.
  Ferocious implies fierceness or cruelty, esp. of a bloodthirsty kind, in disposition or action:
  a ferocious glare; ferocious brutality toward helpless refugees.
  Truculent suggests an intimidating or bullying fierceness of manner or conduct:
  His truculent attitude kept them terrified and submissive.
• 2, 3. furious, passionate, turbulent.

Antonyms

• 1. tame, mild.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fierce / fɪəs/ adjective

1. having a violent and unrestrained nature; savage: a fierce dog
2. wild or turbulent in force, action, or intensity: a fierce storm
3. vehement, intense, or strong: fierce competition
4. very disagreeable or unpleasant
5. (esp of a woman) strong and self-confident

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French fiers, from Latin ferus

ˈfiercely adverb

ˈfierceness noun