fierce

1. 1
   adjective

   Exceedingly violent, severe, or savage in nature or behavior.

   The two armies clashed in a fierce battle that raged for days.

   Rescuers struggled against fierce floodwaters to reach the stranded family.

   Similarferocious, savage, violent, brutal, furious

   Oppositegentle, mild, calm

   Note

   The core sense, and the one closest to the word's roots: Middle English fers came through Old French from Latin ferus, "wild, untamed." That wildness still shows in snarling animals and "the fiercest" of dogs. The word also stretches easily to storms, battles and floods, anything that strikes with savage force. Both comparatives are in use: fiercer or more fierce, fiercest or most fierce.

2. 2
   adjective

   Threatening or intimidating in appearance or manner.

   The warrior's fierce expression unsettled the younger recruits.

   With a fierce scowl, the coach silenced the entire locker room.

   Similarmenacing, intimidating, threatening, fearsome, grim

   Oppositefriendly, gentle, kindly

3. 3
   adjective

   Marked by resolute determination or intense, strenuous energy.

   Her fierce dedication to the cause inspired everyone around her.

   They mounted a fierce defense of their championship title.

   Similarintense, fervent, passionate, ardent, vigorous

   Oppositehalfhearted, feeble, lukewarm

   Note

   Here the violence turns inward and becomes something to admire: a fierce loyalty or a fierce attempt is intense, not cruel. It pairs most naturally with nouns of feeling and effort, such as loyalty, passion, dedication and defense. John Buchan's 1902 line about a passion grown "fiercer than ever" shows it taking a comparative just like the savage sense. Context decides whether a fierce defender is admired or feared.

4. 4
   adjectiveUS

   Of exceptional quality; boldly stylish and brimming with confidence.

   Her runway walk was fierce, all confidence and attitude.

   He served a fierce look in head-to-toe leather.

   Similarfabulous, bold, striking, stunning

   Note

   A separate American slang of approval, at home in LGBTQ circles and the fashion world. Here it praises quality shown through boldness and nerve. It attaches to looks, walks and poses, as in "strike a pose and make it fierce." Unlike the Irish "excellent" sense, which simply means good, this one carries attitude: the confidence of someone daring to be seen.

5. 5
   adjectiveslangIreland

   Excellent or very good.

   The harvest was fierce this year, the best in a generation.

   She's a fierce cook, and everyone fights for an invite to dinner.

   Similarexcellent, great, terrific, brilliant, superb

   Oppositeterrible, awful, poor

   Note

   Irish rustic slang turns the word's savagery into praise. It works well as a one-word verdict: asked how the party was, the answer is simply "Fierce!" It belongs to casual country speech, not to writing or formal talk. Use it where you hear it used. Elsewhere a listener may take it as the violent sense.

6. 6
   adverbslangIreland

   To an extreme degree; very.

   The wind was fierce strong coming off the bay.

   She was fierce proud of her son's achievement.

   Similarvery, really, extremely, mighty, awfully

   Oppositeslightly

   Note

   The adverbial partner of the Irish "excellent" sense, from the same rustic speech. It sits directly in front of an adjective with no -ly: fierce cold, fierce strong, fierce proud. It has no comparative form, so no one says "fiercer cold." Keep it to casual talk. In writing, very or extremely does the job.

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