fighting

fighting — noun

1. a situation in which people or groups use physical force against each other, esp

1.nounB1
Definition

a situation in which people or groups use physical force against each other, especially during a war, a battle, or a violent argument between individuals or gangs.

Example

The fighting between the two groups lasted for days before the leaders called a ceasefire.

collocation: fighting between [groups]

Heavy fighting was reported in the capital as government forces took back the city.

collocation: heavy fighting

Common collocations
  • heavy fighting
  • street fighting
  • fighting between
  • fighting breaks out
  • witness fighting
  • stop the fighting
Synonyms
  • combat

    more formal; usually refers to armed military fighting

  • warfare

    refers to the general activity of fighting a war, not a single incident

  • conflict

    broader term that can include disagreements without physical violence

  • violence

    focuses on the physical force used rather than the act itself

Antonyms
  • peace

    a state without fighting or war

Usage Note

Uncountable — do not add -s. You cannot say 'fightings'.

Common Mistakes

There were many fightings in the area.
There was a lot of fighting in the area.
fighting is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb.
Idioms

a fighting chance

idiom

A small possibility of success if you try very hard.

The team still has a fighting chance to win the match.

Does she have a fighting chance of getting the job?

fighting fit

idiom

In very good physical condition and full of energy.

After months of training, Mia is fighting fit for the race.

You need to be fighting fit to climb that mountain.

fighting spirit

idiom

A strong desire to keep trying and not give up.

The team showed great fighting spirit in the final minutes.

Her fighting spirit helped her recover from the illness.

fighting talk

idiom

Words that show you are ready to fight or compete hard.

The coach's fighting talk motivated the players before the game.

His speech was full of fighting talk against the competition.

fighting — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words relate to situations where people or groups oppose each other, but they differ in scope and register. 'Fighting' is the most general everyday word — you can use it for a schoolyard scuffle or a full-scale war. 'Combat' is more formal and usually refers to armed military fighting between trained soldiers. 'Warfare' is even broader, describing the overall methods and activities of war (e.g. 'modern warfare', 'guerrilla warfare') rather than a single event. 'Battle' is more focused: one specific encounter within a war. 'Conflict' is the broadest term of all — it covers everything from a mild disagreement to an international war, so it is less specific than 'fighting'. 'Violence' emphasises the physical force used rather than the struggle itself. For example: 'The fighting in the streets finally stopped' is natural; 'The combat in the streets' sounds like military operations; 'The conflict in the streets' could mean a dispute without physical force.

combat ↗warfare ↗battle ↗conflict ↗violence ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • outbreak of fighting
  • end of fighting
  • fighting breaks out
  • fighting continues

Prepositions

  • fighting between
  • fighting among
  • fighting with
  • fighting against

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Fighting' comes from the Old English word 'feohtan', meaning to take part in a physical struggle or battle. This word traces back to the Proto-Germanic '*fehtaną' and further to the Proto-Indo-European root '*pek-', meaning to pluck or pull. The '-ing' suffix turned the verb into a noun (gerund) and later into an adjective during the Middle English period, roughly between the 12th and 15th centuries.