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noun A2 Elementary Common

fighter

FEYE-tuh

Fighter (noun) means a person who fights, especially a soldier, boxer, or martial artist. Example: “He trained for years to become a professional fighter.”

noun
1
A person who fights, especially a soldier, boxer, or martial artist.
"He trained for years to become a professional fighter."
2
A person who shows great determination in the face of hardship, such as illness.
"Despite her diagnosis, everyone who knew her called her a fighter."
3
A fast military aircraft built mainly to engage and shoot down other aircraft.
"Two fighters escorted the transport plane across the border."

How to Use Fighter

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone (or something, like a jet) built or determined to fight — literally or in spirit.

Common pairings
a real fighter fighter jet street fighter

Word Forms

fighters plural

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He trained for years to become a professional _____.

Etymology

From fight plus the agent suffix -er.

Related Words

Rhymes for fighter

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “fighter” mean?

The word “fighter” means a person who fights, especially a soldier, boxer, or martial artist. In plain terms, someone (or something, like a jet) built or determined to fight — literally or in spirit.

How do you pronounce “fighter”?

“Fighter” is pronounced FEYE-tuh (/ˈfaɪtɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “fighter” in a sentence?

Here is “fighter” used in a sentence: “He trained for years to become a professional fighter.”

What is another word for “fighter”?

Words with a similar meaning to “fighter” include warrior, combatant and soldier.

What part of speech is “fighter”?

“Fighter” is a noun.

Is “fighter” a common word?

“Fighter” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “fighter” have?

“Fighter” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who fights, especially a soldier, boxer, or martial artist.

What is the difference between a "fighter" and a "warrior"?

A fighter is anyone who fights, including boxers, soldiers, and martial artists, while a warrior traditionally means an experienced soldier or combatant, often with heroic or historical overtones. "Warrior" tends to sound more elevated, whereas "fighter" is everyday and can also describe a determined person.

When can you call someone a "fighter" without meaning physical combat?

In its figurative sense, "fighter" describes a person who shows great determination in the face of hardship, such as illness or adversity. Calling a patient "a real fighter" praises their refusal to give up rather than any physical fighting.

What is the difference between a "fighter" and a "boxer"?

A boxer is a specific kind of fighter who competes in the sport of boxing, while "fighter" is broader and also covers wrestlers, mixed martial artists, and soldiers. Every boxer is a fighter, but not every fighter is a boxer.

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