fierce Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite marked by extreme and violent energy
    furious; ferocious; savage.
    • a ferocious beating
    • fierce fighting
    • a furious battle
  2. adjective satellite marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid
    vehement; tearing; trigger-happy; violent.
    • fierce loyalty
    • in a tearing rage
    • vehement dislike
    • violent passions
  3. adjective satellite ruthless in competition
    bowelless; cutthroat.
    • cutthroat competition
    • bowelless readiness to take advantage
  4. adjective satellite violently agitated and turbulent
    rough; boisterous.
    • boisterous winds and waves
    • the fierce thunders roar me their music"- Ezra Pound
    • rough weather
    • rough seas

WordNet

Fierce adjective
Etymology
OE. fers, fiers, OF. fier, nom. fiers, fierce, savage, cruel, F. fier proud, from L. ferus wild, savage, cruel; perh. akin to E. bear the animal. Cf. Feral, Ferocity.
Wordforms
comparative Fiercer ; superlative Fiercest
Definitions
  1. Furious; violent; unrestrained; impetuous; as, a fierce wind.
    His fierce thunder drove us to the deep. Milton.
  2. Vehement in anger or cruelty; ready or eager to kill or injure; of a nature to inspire terror; ferocious. "A fierce whisper." Dickens. "A fierce tyrant." Pope.
    The fierce foe hung upon our broken rear. Milton.
    Thou huntest me as a fierce lion. Job. x. 16.
  3. Excessively earnest, eager, or ardent. Syn. -- Ferocious; savage; cruel; vehement; impetuous; barbarous; fell. See Ferocious. -- Fierce"ly, adv. -- Fierce"ness, n.

Webster 1913