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noun Uncommon

feud

fyood
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Feud (noun) means a long-running, bitter conflict between two people, families, or groups. Example: “The two neighboring families had been locked in a feud for generations.”

noun
1
A long-running, bitter conflict between two people, families, or groups.
"The two neighboring families had been locked in a feud for generations."
"A dispute over the will led to a bitter feud between the siblings."
verb
1
To carry on a long-running hostile dispute.
"The brothers have feuded over the family business for years."

How to use feud

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA long, bitter dispute between people or groups that keeps flaring up.

Common pairings
a long-running feud family feud feud with someone
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Word forms

Plural
feuds
Third person singular
feuds
Past tense
feuded
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The two neighboring families had been locked in a _____ for generations.

Etymology

From Old French faide, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "hatred, enmity" — related to the word foe.

Origin: Old French

Related words

Rhymes for feud

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Frequently asked questions

What does “feud” mean?
The word “feud” means a long-running, bitter conflict between two people, families, or groups. In plain terms, a long, bitter dispute between people or groups that keeps flaring up.
How do you pronounce “feud”?
“Feud” is pronounced fyood (/fjuːd/ in IPA).
How do you use “feud” in a sentence?
Here is “feud” used in a sentence: “The two neighboring families had been locked in a feud for generations.”
What part of speech is “feud”?
Depending on how it is used, “feud” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “feud” come from?
The word “feud” comes from Old French. From Old French faide, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "hatred, enmity" — related to the word foe.
Is “feud” a common word?
“Feud” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “feud” have?
“Feud” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long-running, bitter conflict between two people, families, or groups.
What is the difference between a feud and an argument?
An argument is typically a single dispute or disagreement that can be resolved relatively quickly, while a feud is a long-running, bitter conflict that persists over time, often between families, groups, or individuals. A feud implies ongoing hostility rather than a one-off exchange.
Can feud be used as both a noun and a verb?
Yes. As a noun, a feud is a long-running, bitter conflict, as in "a family feud." As a verb, to feud means to carry on that long-running hostile dispute, as in "the two families have feuded for years."
What are common collocations with feud?
Feud is often used with words like family, ongoing, bitter, and long-running, as in "a bitter family feud" or "an ongoing feud between neighbors." These collocations emphasize the sustained, personal nature of the conflict.

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