fighting

The word “fighting” means the act of engaging in combat or conflict. In plain terms, actively engaged in combat or conflict, or the combat itself.

“Fighting” is pronounced FEYE-tihng (/ˈfaɪ.tɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “fighting” used in a sentence: “Fighting broke out along the border overnight.”

Depending on how it is used, “fighting” can be a noun and an adjective.

The word “fighting” comes from Old English. From the present participle of Old English feohtan, "to fight.".

“Fighting” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Fighting” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of engaging in combat or conflict.

Fighting is engaging in combat or conflict, and often implies physical force — blows, weapons, or violence. Arguing is a verbal disagreement, a clash of words and opinions with no physical contact. People say a fight 'broke out' when words turn physical, marking the line between the two.

No. While fighting often means physical combat, it is also used figuratively for any determined struggle — fighting for a cause, fighting an illness, or fighting to keep a business alive. In these senses it means resisting or striving hard against something, with no blows involved.

Fighting ranges from personal physical clashes like brawls and boxing matches to organised armed conflict such as warfare between nations. It also covers regulated combat sports, verbal fighting or quarrelling, and figurative fighting against problems. What links them is active, forceful opposition between two or more sides.

'The fighting lasted for hours' describes ongoing combat, while 'Stop fighting, you two' refers to a heated quarrel. Figuratively, 'She spent years fighting for equal pay' shows struggle towards a goal. Each uses 'fighting' as the act of engaging in conflict, physical or otherwise.