guerrilla
guh-RIH-luh
Guerrilla (noun) means a fighter in a small, independent armed group that uses surprise raids rather than open battle, typically against a larger regular army. Example: “The guerrillas retreated into the mountains after the ambush.”
noun
1
A fighter in a small, independent armed group that uses surprise raids rather than open battle, typically against a larger regular army.
"The right-wing paramilitary's offensive against the Marxist guerrillas failed because they did not know the terrain well enough."
"The guerrillas retreated into the mountains after the ambush."
"From the start of its operations in Colombia, the company was on guard against the decadeslong civil strife in the country between left-wing guerrilla and right-wing paramilitary groups, witnesses have testified."
— Kyle Whitmire, Suit in U.S. Over Murders in Colombia (2007)
adj
1
Relating to unconventional, small-scale tactics, especially in warfare or marketing.
"The startup relied on guerrilla marketing instead of TV ads."
How to use guerrilla
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSmall-scale, hit-and-run fighting — or, more loosely, any scrappy, unconventional tactic.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "gorilla," the animal — they sound identical but are unrelated.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
guerrilla warfare
guerrilla marketing
guerrilla fighters
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Word forms
- Plural
- guerrillas
- Comparative
- more guerrilla
- Superlative
- most guerrilla
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ retreated into the mountains after the ambush.
Etymology
From Spanish guerrilla, "little war," a diminutive of guerra ("war"), coined during Spain's fight against Napoleon.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for guerrilla
See all rhymes for guerrilla →Frequently asked questions
What does “guerrilla” mean?
The word “guerrilla” means a fighter in a small, independent armed group that uses surprise raids rather than open battle, typically against a larger regular army. In plain terms, small-scale, hit-and-run fighting — or, more loosely, any scrappy, unconventional tactic.
How do you pronounce “guerrilla”?
“Guerrilla” is pronounced guh-RIH-luh (/ɡəˈɹɪlə/ in IPA).
How do you use “guerrilla” in a sentence?
Here is “guerrilla” used in a sentence: “The guerrillas retreated into the mountains after the ambush.”
What part of speech is “guerrilla”?
Depending on how it is used, “guerrilla” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “guerrilla” come from?
The word “guerrilla” comes from Spanish. From Spanish guerrilla, "little war," a diminutive of guerra ("war"), coined during Spain's fight against Napoleon.
Is “guerrilla” a common word?
“Guerrilla” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “guerrilla” have?
“Guerrilla” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fighter in a small, independent armed group that uses surprise raids rather than open battle, typically against a larger regular army.
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