fierce

Everyday

1. Angry, wild and likely to attack: «a fierce dog». tree →
2. Very strong or powerful: «a fierce storm», «fierce heat». tree →
3. Full of strong feeling or effort: «fierce competition». tree →
4. (slang) Bold and confident in a cool way. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, fierce animals and monsters scare the characters. In science and geography: fierce winds, fierce fires. In sports: «fierce rivals», «fierce match». Young people sometimes say «You look fierce!» meaning confident and stylish.

Examples

• The fierce dog barked at the gate. tree →
• A fierce storm blew down the tree. tree →
• The two teams are fierce rivals. tree →
• The tiger gave a fierce roar. tree →
• There was fierce competition for the prize. tree →
• The fire was fierce and spread fast. tree →
• (slang) Love your new outfit — you look fierce! tree →
• They had long legs and fierce eyes and sharp teeth. tree →

Note

Spelling: «i before e» — fierce. Adverb: fiercely. Noun: fierceness. The slang sense is praise, not an insult.

In Jewish tradition

It describes anger or wrath, as in God's "fierce wrath" or a nation of "fierce countenance."

Interpretation. Moses asks God to turn from fierce wrath, and tradition sees his prayer as a model of speaking up for others. Jacob rebukes the fierce anger of Simeon and Levi, teaching that anger should be controlled.

Examples

• Turn from Thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against Thy people. (Torah EXO.32.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• a nation of fierce countenance, that shall not regard the person of the old, nor show favour to the young. (Torah DEU.28.50, JPS 1917) tree →
• Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce, and their wrath, for it was cruel; I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. (Torah GEN.49.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thy fierce wrath is gone over me; Thy terrors have cut me off. (Writings PSA.88.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the peaceable folds are brought to silence because of the fierce anger of the LORD. (Prophets JER.25.37, JPS 1917) tree →
• None is so fierce that dare stir him up; who then is able to stand before Me? (Writings JOB.41.2, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling: «i before e» — fierce. Adverb: fiercely. Noun: fierceness. The slang sense is praise, not an insult.