tiger
TEYE-guh
Tiger (noun) means a large, powerful wild cat native to Asia, with an orange coat marked by black stripes. Example: “The tiger prowled silently through the tall grass.”
noun
1
A large, powerful wild cat native to Asia, with an orange coat marked by black stripes.
"The tiger prowled silently through the tall grass."
"Wild tigers are endangered due to habitat loss and poaching."
"At the zoo, we watched a tiger pacing slowly beside the glass."
2
A country or economy that has grown rapidly and successfully, especially in Asia.
"Economists once described the small, fast-growing nation as a tiger of the region."
"Several tigers in Asia built their wealth on exports and new technology."
"South Korea became known as one of the "Asian tigers" in the 1990s."
3
A fierce, bold, or aggressive person.
"She's a real tiger in business negotiations."
"On the netball court my sister is a tiger who never gives up."
"Our manager is a tiger when anyone threatens the team's budget."
How to use tiger
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA striped big cat, or figuratively, a fierce or highly successful person or economy.
Common pairings
tiger stripes
paper tiger
Asian tiger economy
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Word forms
- Plural
- tigers
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The _____ prowled silently through the tall grass.
Etymology
From Old English tigras and Old French tigre, both from Latin tigris, ultimately from Greek and an Iranian source related to a word for "arrow" — likely a reference to the animal's speed.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for tiger
See all rhymes for tiger →Frequently asked questions
What does “tiger” mean?
The word “tiger” means a large, powerful wild cat native to Asia, with an orange coat marked by black stripes. In plain terms, a striped big cat, or figuratively, a fierce or highly successful person or economy.
How do you pronounce “tiger”?
“Tiger” is pronounced TEYE-guh (/ˈtaɪɡɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “tiger” in a sentence?
Here is “tiger” used in a sentence: “The tiger prowled silently through the tall grass.”
What part of speech is “tiger”?
“Tiger” is a noun.
Where does the word “tiger” come from?
The word “tiger” comes from Latin. From Old English tigras and Old French tigre, both from Latin tigris, ultimately from Greek and an Iranian source related to a word for "arrow" — likely a reference to the animal's speed.
Is “tiger” a common word?
“Tiger” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “tiger” have?
“Tiger” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, powerful wild cat native to Asia, with an orange coat marked by black stripes.
What is the difference between a tiger and a lion?
A tiger is a large wild cat native to Asia with an orange coat marked by black stripes, and it typically lives and hunts alone. A lion has a plain tawny coat, males grow a mane, and lions live in social groups called prides, mainly in Africa.
Why is a fast-growing economy called a tiger?
In economics a 'tiger' is a country or economy that has grown rapidly and successfully, especially in Asia. The term draws on the animal's reputation for speed and strength, as seen in phrases like the 'Asian tigers' or 'tiger economies'.
What words commonly go with 'tiger'?
Common pairings include 'Bengal tiger', 'Siberian tiger', 'tiger cub', and 'paper tiger', which means someone or something that appears threatening but is actually weak. In economics you also hear 'tiger economy'.
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