fighting
FEYE-tihng
Fighting (noun) means the act of engaging in combat or conflict. Example: “Fighting broke out along the border overnight.”
noun
1
The act of engaging in combat or conflict.
"Fighting broke out along the border overnight."
"The referee stopped the fighting before anyone could get hurt."
"The two brothers spent the whole afternoon fighting over the remote."
adj
1
Engaged in, or ready for, war or conflict.
"The fighting forces were ordered to gather at the camp by dawn."
"Every fighting unit received new equipment before the campaign began."
"The troops remained in fighting condition despite the long march."
How to use fighting
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishActively engaged in combat or conflict, or the combat itself.
Common pairings
heavy fighting
fighting spirit
fighting chance
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Word forms
- Plural
- fightings
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_____ broke out along the border overnight.
Etymology
From the present participle of Old English feohtan, "to fight."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for fighting
See all rhymes for fighting →Frequently asked questions
What does “fighting” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “fighting”?
“Fighting” is pronounced FEYE-tihng (/ˈfaɪ.tɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “fighting” in a sentence?
Here is “fighting” used in a sentence: “Fighting broke out along the border overnight.”
What part of speech is “fighting”?
Depending on how it is used, “fighting” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “fighting” come from?
The word “fighting” comes from Old English. From the present participle of Old English feohtan, "to fight.".
Is “fighting” a common word?
“Fighting” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “fighting” have?
“Fighting” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of engaging in combat or conflict.
What is the difference between fighting and arguing?
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.
Is fighting always physical?
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.
What are the types of fighting?
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.
What is an example of fighting in a sentence?
'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.
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