Dictionary

fight en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• [fəɪʔ] (Canada, US)
• /faɪt/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• fīt (Received-Pronunciation)
• [fʌɪt] Canadian raising
• /fəɪt/ (Canada, US)
• (General-American) audio
• /fɑɪt/ (Australia)
• (Received-Pronunciation) audio

Etymology

From Middle English fighten (“to fight”), from Old English feohtan (“to fight, combat, strive”), from Proto-West Germanic *fehtan (“to fight”), from Proto-Germanic *fehtaną (“to comb, tease, shear, struggle with”), from Proto-Indo-European *peḱ- (“to comb, shear”). Cognate with Scots fecht (“to fight”), West Frisian fjochtsje, fjuchte (“to fight”), Dutch vechten (“to fight”), Low German fechten (“to fight”), German fechten (“to fence”), Danish fægte (“to fence, to fight (using blade weapons)”), Norwegian Bokmål and Norwegian Nynorsk fekte (“to fence”), Swedish fäkta (“to fence, to fight (using blade weapons), to wave vigorously (and carelessly) with one's arms”), Latin pectō (“comb, thrash”, verb), Albanian pjek (“to hit, strive, fight”), Ancient Greek πέκω (pékō, “comb or card wool”, verb). Related also to Old English feht (“wool, shaggy pelt, fleece”).

Meanings

1. (transitive) Senses relating to physical conflict: ▸ To engage in combat with; to oppose physically, to contest with.
   • My grandfather fought the Nazis in World War II.
2. (transitive) Senses relating to physical conflict: ▸ To conduct or engage in (battle, warfare, a cause, etc.).
   • Our soldiers fought the battle just over that hill.
   • I have fought a good fight. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Timothy 4:7:
   • Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Timothy 6:12:
   • was left to fight his way through the world. 1856 December, [Thomas Babington] Macaulay, “Samuel Johnson”, in T[homas] F[lower] E[llis], editor, The Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches of Lord Macaulay, new edition, London: Longman, Green, Reader, & Dyer, published 1871, →OCLC:
   • His Suff’rings ſhine, and ſpread a Glory round him; Greatly unfortunate, he fights the Cauſe Of Honour, Virtue, Liberty, and Rome. 1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, →OCLC, Act I, scene i, page 2:
3. (intransitive) Senses relating to physical conflict: ▸ To contend in physical conflict, either singly or in war, battle, etc.
   • A wounded animal will fight tooth and nail; relentless, savage and murderous.
4. (reciprocal) Senses relating to physical conflict: ▸ To contend in physical conflict with each other, either singly or in war, battle, etc.
   • The two boxers have been fighting for more than half an hour.
5. (causative) Senses relating to physical conflict: ▸ To cause to fight; to manage or manoeuvre in a fight.
   • And so we made their grave where they should lie Close side by side, as they had fought their tank Through every fight, arm touching arm. We made it deep, that nothing of the conflict they had left above Should break into their peace. 1953, Revd. Waldo E. L. Smith, What Time the Tempest: An Army Chaplain's Story, page 244:
   • to fight cocks; to fight one’s ship
6. (intransitive) To strive for something; to campaign or contend for success.
   • He fought for the Democrats in the last election.
   • Old Applegate, in the stern, just set and looked at me, and Lord James, amidship, waved both arms and kept hollering for help. I took a couple of everlasting big strokes and managed to grab hold of the skiff's rail, close to the stern. Then, for a jiffy, I hung on and fought for breath. 1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter VII, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:
   • [Edmund] Burke continued to fight for liberty later on in life. He backed Americans in their campaign for freedom from British taxation. He supported Catholic freedoms and freer trade with Ireland, in spite of his constituents’ ire. He wanted more liberal laws on the punishment of debtors. 2014 July 5, “Freedom fighter”, in The Economist, volume 412, number 8894, archived from the original on 11 Mar 2023:
7. (transitive) To try to overpower; to fiercely counteract.
   • The government pledged to fight corruption.
   • I fought a sneeze as Max took my hand and led me into the chapel. 2014, Ann Aguirre, The Shape of My Heart, page 42:
8. (intransitive) Of colours or other design elements: to clash; to fail to harmonize.
   • The higher the saturation, the more the colors fight, and the more users will be looking at your design instead of your content. 2013, Ian G. Clifton, Android User Interface Design:

Forms

Deriveds

fight like an old married couple (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fire-fight (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight like cats and dogs (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight up (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight to the death (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight shy of (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · don't fight the tape (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · play fight (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · go down fighting (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight fire with fire (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight off (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight one's corner (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fightest (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight the tiger (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fightable (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight me (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight like cat and dog (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · two bald men fighting over a comb (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight a rearguard action (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight out (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · live to fight another day (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight one's guts out (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight it out (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · that cock won't fight (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight windmills (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight tooth and nail (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight the tape (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · outfight (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight a losing battle (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight the good fight (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight for one's life (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight dirty (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · infight (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight to the finish (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight choreography (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight like a married couple (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · never fight a land war in Asia (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · the girls are fighting (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · you can't fight City Hall (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight down (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fightability (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight back (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight bite (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight fires (Terms derived from fight (verb)) · fight cocum (Terms derived from fight (verb))

Descendants

faet · pait · faet · feti

Translations (391)

th ต่อสู้ (to strive for) · nl vechten met ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · ug يېغىلاشماق ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · gl pelexar ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · fa تلاش کردن (to strive for) · lo ຮົບ ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · hu verekszik ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · es hacer armas ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ca barallar-se ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · pl bić się ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · eo batali ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · he נלחם (to counteract) · ka შებრძოლება ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · hy կռվել ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · uk воюва́ти ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · hu harcol (to strive for) · ru сража́ться (to counteract) · kea brigá ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · is berjast gegn (to counteract) · ky согушуу ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · mk се бори ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · sl boriti se ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · yo jà ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · cmn 鬥爭 /斗争 ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · haw kaua ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · gl derrancar ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · mt ġlieda ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · cs bojovat (to counteract) · mn тэмцэх ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ja 闘う (to counteract) · da slås ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · gd sabaid ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · lo ຕໍ່ສູ້ ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · enm fighten (to strive for) · it azzuffarsi ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · syc ܟܬܫ ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · haw hakakā ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · pl walczyć ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · bo འཁྲུག་རྩོད་རྒྱག ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · sv slåss ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · he נאבק ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · ro se bate ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · hi झगड़ना ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ka ბრძოლა ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · no kjempe for (to strive for) · gl loitar ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · ru би́ться (to counteract) · th สู้ ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · fa جنگیدن ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · cs bojovat ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ga troid ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · hu harcol ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · lv cīnīties (to strive for) · az çarpışmaq (to strive for) · ar قَاتَلَ ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · el παλεύω ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ja 対決する ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · ru сража́ться ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · is berjast við ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · lv cīnīties ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · mn байлдах ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · kk күресу ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · nl bevechten ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · ga troid ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · ja 戦う ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · fi taistella ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · gd sabaid ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · tr dövüşmek ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · nl vechten ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · yue 打交 ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · az döyüşmək ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · pt lutar com ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · gl barallar ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · tyv демисежир ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ln buna ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · fr se battre ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · uz urushmoq ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · gl dedolar ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · gl lear ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ja 闘う ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · uz kurashmoq ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · de kämpfen gegen ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · he נלחם ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · az dalaşmaq ((reciprocal) to contend in physical conflict with each other) · tpi paitim ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · kea briga ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · gl desortir ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · sw vita ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · nl bekampen (to counteract) · kix vèi-īe ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · bg бия се ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · ru боро́ться ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · arz اِتعارك ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ja 闘う ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · tg мубориза бурдан ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ko 싸우다 ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · hu verekszik ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · cic ittafama ((reciprocal) to contend in physical conflict with each other) · af stryd ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ary تدابز ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · enm fighten ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · sk biť sa ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · cic ittafama ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · it battersi ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · id tarung ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · az çarpışmaq ((reciprocal) to contend in physical conflict with each other) · pt lutar contra (to counteract) · bg боря́ се ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · haw paio ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · tpi paitim ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · cs bojovat ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · ru сража́ться (to strive for) · et sõdima ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · ltg veiktīs ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · as যুঁজা ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ru сража́ться ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · nds-de fechten ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ko 싸우다 ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · eu borrokatu (to strive for) · xag 𐔽𐔰𐕀 ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · nds-de kämpen ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ja 闘う (to strive for) · ltg ceikstētīs ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · rm cumbatter ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · fa جنگیدن ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · cs bojovat ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · gl punar ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · he נאבק (to strive for) · ar اِعْتَرَكَ ((reciprocal) to contend in physical conflict with each other) · nl bevechten (to counteract) · de kämpfen mit ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · lt kautis ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · tl warlahin ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ja 闘う ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · za hoenx ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ht lite ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · hy մարտնչել ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · nl kampen ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · bo འཁྲུག་རྩོད་རྒྱག ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · pt contra ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · gd cog ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · cmn 戰鬥 /战斗 ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · be бі́цца ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · es pelear ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · pt enfrentar (to counteract) · om loluu ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · gd cog ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · sh boriti se ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · fa جنگیدن ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · ru дра́ться ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · mn тэмцэх ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · lv cīnīties ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · jje 쌉다 ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · lv kauties ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · he נאבק (to counteract) · fi tapella ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · el μάχομαι ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · oc batre ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · bni buna ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · acm تمالخ ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · th ต่อสู้ ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · su tarung ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · de streiten ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ttj -rwana ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · mi āpiti ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · ca lluitar ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · pt combater (to counteract) · th ต่อสู้ (to counteract) · my ရန်ဖြစ် ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ks لَڑُن ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · bo དཀྲུག ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · vi chiến đấu ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · uk боро́тися ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · egy aHA-A24 ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · lt grumtis ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ar عَارَكَ ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · mr झुंजणे ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · fa مبارزه کردن ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ro combate ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · tg мубориза кардан ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · he נֶאֱבַק ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · be ваява́ць ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · cs bít se ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · gd cog ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · ru би́ться ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · pl walczyć (to counteract) · az vuruşmaq ((reciprocal) to contend in physical conflict with each other) · ru воева́ть ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · et võitlema (to counteract) · kea brigá ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · rm lutgar ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · be баро́цца ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · no slåss ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · ne लड्नु ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · de bekämpfen (to counteract) · nl strijden ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · enm fighten (to counteract) · ar عَارَكَ ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · ka შერკინება ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · cy brwydro ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ckb شەڕ کردن ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · fro cumbatre ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · ja 戦う ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · bo འཛིང ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · el τσακώνομαι ((reciprocal) to contend in physical conflict with each other) · th ต่อสู้ ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · ar قَاتَلَ ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · oc luchar ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · bo འཛིང ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · km វាយតប់ ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · sv bekämpa (to counteract) · de kämpfen (to strive for) · cic ittafama ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · gl combatir ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · sco fecht ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · az dalaşmaq ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · fy fjochtsje ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · sa युध्यते ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · bo འཁྲུག ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ko 다투다 ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · nap luttà ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · he רָב ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · kk ұрысу ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · no slåss ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · ar تَعَارَكَ ((reciprocal) to contend in physical conflict with each other) · bo རྒྱ་འདྲེ་རྒྱག ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · fi taistella ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · cs bojovat (to strive for) · fi taistella (to counteract) · am መዋጋት ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · cs zápasit ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · acw اتضارب ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · es pelearse ((reciprocal) to contend in physical conflict with each other) · az vuruşmaq (to strive for) · tr savaşmak ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · la pugnō ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ln bunda ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ru би́ться ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · frr stridj ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · uk би́тися ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · pt lutar (to strive for) · mr लढा देणे ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · mr झुंज देणे ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ru сража́ться ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · ur جھگڑنا ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ru боро́ться (to strive for) · zea vechte ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · et võitlema ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · hi लड़ना ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · sk bojovať ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · da kæmpe ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · pt combater ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · sah охсуо ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ja 喧嘩する ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · fr combattre ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · gl loitar (to strive for) · sv kämpa ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · is berjast ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ca combatre ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · ro lupta ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · sw vita (to counteract) · is slást ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · it combattere ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · kix vèi-īe ((reciprocal) to contend in physical conflict with each other) · ar تَقَاتَلَ ((reciprocal) to contend in physical conflict with each other) · ja 戦う ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · hy պայքարել (to counteract) · got 𐍅𐌴𐌹𐌷𐌰𐌽 ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · uk воюва́ти ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ru би́ться ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · az döyüşmək (to strive for) · eu borroka egin ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · kk соғысу ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · sw vita ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · iu pâk ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · nrf s'freûler ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · lt peštis ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · cmn 奮鬥 /奋斗 ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · fi taistella (to strive for) · el πολεμάω ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · yi קעמפֿן ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ltg sistīs ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · tl awayin ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · he נִלְחַם ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · eu borrokatu ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · sw vita ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · be змага́цца ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · zdj uwana na ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · az çarpışmaq ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · el πολεμώ ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · ga bruíon ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · orv боротися ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · is heyja ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · sw vita (to strive for) · gd sabaid ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · pt lutar ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · id kelahi ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · eu borroka egin (to strive for) · rup alumtu ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · da bekæmpe (to counteract) · ja 戦う (to strive for) · es luchar (to strive for) · fi taistella ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · gl estalifar ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · eu borrokatu ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · ar نَاضَلَ (to strive for) · fr guerroyer in war ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · dsb wójowaś ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · de kämpfen ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · es luchar ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · tk uruşmak ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · nds-de strieden ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · mr लढणे ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · km ប្រយុទ្ឋ ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · eu aurka egin (to counteract) · fro batre ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · is berjast (to strive for) · la luctor ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · lo ສູ້ ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · cic ittafama ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · tg ҷангидан ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · da udkæmpe ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · mi kakari ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · jje ᄃᆞ투다 ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · txb wät- ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · nl vechten tegen ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · lt kautis ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · th สู้ ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · lt kovoti ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · no slåss ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · it lottare ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · no kjempe ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · az vuruşmaq ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · th รบ ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ru воева́ть ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · nl opkomen voor (to strive for) · bo རྒྱ་འདྲེ་རྒྱག ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · th ต่อสู้ ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · es combatir ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · acw اتضارب ((reciprocal) to contend in physical conflict with each other) · fi tsempata (to strive for) · lt muštis ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · mi whawhai ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ar كَافَحَ (to strive for) · ja 戦う (to counteract) · oc combatre ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · lo ຕໍ່ສູ້ (to counteract) · kea briga ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ur لڑنا ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ang feohtan ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · no bekjempe (to counteract) · it combattere (to strive for) · udi аъхъеъсун ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · sv strida ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · sv slåss ((reciprocal) to contend in physical conflict with each other) · ktu nwana ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · grc μάχομαι ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ug كۈرەشمەك ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ka შებრძოლება ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · el καταπολεμώ (to counteract) · ka ჩხუბი ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · la dīmicō ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · fr combattre (to counteract) · pt lutar ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · es batirse ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · eu borroka egin ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · bg би́я се ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · be ваява́ць ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · sq luftoj ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ast lluchar ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · gl gurrar ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · gl loitar ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ar اِقْتَتَلَ ((reciprocal) to contend in physical conflict with each other) · kk төбелесу ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · el μαλώνω ((reciprocal) to contend in physical conflict with each other) · nl ijveren voor (to strive for) · la combattuo ((transitive) to contend in physical conflict against) · la pugnare (to counteract) · de fechten ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · km តស៊ូ (to strive for) · arz اتخانق ((reciprocal) to contend in physical conflict with each other) · ga comhraic ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ja 対決する ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · th สู้ (to strive for) · bg сражавам се ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · nl uitvechten ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict)) · et kaklema ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · ky урушуу ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · fa مقابله کردن (to counteract) · sh борити се ((intransitive) to contend in physical conflict) · he נלחם ((transitive) to engage in (a physical conflict))

fight en · NOUN · etymology 2

Etymology

From Middle English fight, feyght, fiȝt, fecht, from Old English feoht, ġefeoht (“fight”), from Proto-West Germanic *fehtan (“to fight”), from Proto-Germanic *fehtą, *gafehtą (“fight, struggle”), from Proto-Germanic *fehtaną (“to struggle with”). Cognate with Dutch gevecht (“fight”), German Gefecht (“fight”).

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) An occasion of fighting.
   • One of them got stuck in a chokehold and got stabbed to death during the fight.
2. (archaic, countable, uncountable) A battle between opposing armies.
3. (countable, uncountable) A physical confrontation or combat between two or more people or groups.
   • Watch your language! Are you looking for a fight?
4. (countable, uncountable) A boxing or martial arts match.
   • I’m going to Nick’s to watch the big fight tomorrow night.
5. (countable, uncountable) A conflict, possibly nonphysical, with opposing ideas or forces; strife.
   • I’ll put up a fight to save this company.
   • As the world's drug habit shows, governments are failing in their quest to monitor every London window-box and Andean hillside for banned plants. But even that Sisyphean task looks easy next to the fight against synthetic drugs. 2013 August 10, “A new prescription”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8848, archived from the original on 09 Mar 2023:
   • ‘Then the father has a great fight with his terrible conscience,’ said Munday with granite seriousness. ‘Should he make a row with the police […]? Or should he say nothing about it and condone brutality for fear of appearing in the newspapers? 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 18, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
6. (uncountable) The will or ability to fight.
   • That little guy has a bit of fight in him after all. As soon as he saw the size of his opponent, all the fight went out of him.
7. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) A screen for the combatants in ships; an arming.
   • Who ever ſaw a noble ſight, / That never view'd a brave Sea Fight: / Hang up your bloody Colours in the Aire, / Up with your Fights, and your Nettings prepare, / Your Merry Mates chear, with a luſty bold ſpright, / Now each Man his brindice, and then to the Fight, […] 1673 May (first performance), John Dryden, Amboyna. A Tragedy. […], London: […] T[homas] N[ewcomb] for Henry Herringman, […], published 1673, →OCLC, Act III, page 31:

Forms

Deriveds

fight scene · fight shy · fight to the finish · fight song · bitchfight · prefight · straight fight · streetfight · fight stick · bullfight · fext · banyan fight · fistfight · dogfight · snowball fight · copyfight · slap fight · running fight · fightback · fight-or-flight · bottle fight · fist-fight · knife fight · water fight · put up a fight · forfight · barfight · postfight · refight · prize fight · tea fight · superfight · have a dog in the fight · fighty · megafight · fight to the death · bitch fight · bare-knuckle fight · cat fight · befight · freedom fight · sword fight · spoiling for a fight · fightwite · dog fight · mud fight · gunfight · swordfight · thumb fight · pillow fight · fight IQ · dog-fight · bun fight · bossfight · street fight · snowfight · fight or flight · boodle fight · couldn't organise a bun fight in a bakery · cockfight · handy-fight · armoured combat fight · catfight · prizefight · piefight · handfight · fightsome · firefight · stick fight · cage fight · pick a fight · infight · fighter · chicken fight · footfight · fighting · fist fight · food fight · sexfight · fight the good fight · dog in the fight · bun-fight · paper fight · armored combat fight · grog-fight · fightworthy

Descendants

fight · ファイト · fajt · feti

Hyponyms

barney · running fight · combat · skirmish · scrimmage · fistfight · battle · encounter · punch-up · domestic · brawl · engagement · velitation · scuffle · Armageddon · fisticuffs · melee · infight · tussle

Relateds

disorder · conflict · combative · Ragnarok · clash · riot · commotion · dispute · altercation · contention · confrontation · attack

Synonyms

ruckus · fracas · set-to · fight · kerfuffle · set to · stoush · affray · rixation · dust-up

Translations (352)

ks لَڑٲے (physical confrontation) · gl loita (occasion of fighting) · fi taistelu (battle) · afb هوشة (occasion of fighting) · lv cīņa (occasion of fighting) · be суты́чка (occasion of fighting) · gd blàr (battle) · fa کارزار (occasion of fighting) · da kamp (martial arts match) · ta சண்டை (battle) · nb kamp (martial arts match) · fi taistelu (occasion of fighting) · es lucha (conflict of will, strife) · uk бата́лія (battle) · mn ᠳᠠᠶᠢᠨ (battle) · he ריב (occasion of fighting) · sh bȉtka (battle) · ro bătaie (occasion of fighting) · da kamp (battle) · pl bójka (occasion of fighting) · bg сраже́ние (occasion of fighting) · es pelea (battle) · ca combat (battle) · uk бій (occasion of fighting) · nrf frip'sie (occasion of fighting) · hy մարտ (battle) · af geveg (occasion of fighting) · rif amenɣi (battle) · de Gefecht (battle) · pis faet (battle) · rup ljuftã (occasion of fighting) · ru бой (occasion of fighting) · gd còmhrag (conflict of will, strife) · ajp طوشة (occasion of fighting) · pt luta (battle) · de Schlacht (battle) · ru бой (physical confrontation) · sk boj (occasion of fighting) · is bardagi (occasion of fighting) · grc μάχη (battle) · pl batalia (battle) · ru дра́ка (occasion of fighting) · sh борба (conflict of will, strife) · cs boj (occasion of fighting) · lt peštynės (physical confrontation) · pt combatividade (will or ability to fight) · it incontro (martial arts match) · izh tappelo (occasion of fighting) · ks جٔگڑٕ (occasion of fighting) · ne लडाईं (occasion of fighting) · lt muštynės (physical confrontation) · ks جَنٛگ (battle) · de Keilerei (physical confrontation) · hu csata (battle) · sa युद्ध (battle) · uk бойови́ще (battle) · bo འཐབ་འཛིང (occasion of fighting) · vec lòta (occasion of fighting) · hy կռիվ (occasion of fighting) · ckb شەڕ (battle) · hu küzdelem (conflict of will, strife) · yo ìjà (occasion of fighting) · de Streit (conflict of will, strife) · ja 闘志 (will or ability to fight) · af geveg (battle) · ga comhrac (conflict of will, strife) · egy aHA-A24 (battle) · el μάχη (battle) · ja 戦い (battle) · az dava (physical confrontation) · rm cumbat (occasion of fighting) · he מַאֲבָק (occasion of fighting) · it rissa (physical confrontation) · gd cogadh (occasion of fighting) · pis faet (physical confrontation) · pl bojowość (will or ability to fight) · pt briga (occasion of fighting) · lv cīņa (battle) · ota ناورد (battle) · sw vita (physical confrontation) · rm cumbat (battle) · eu borroka (occasion of fighting) · bg бой (occasion of fighting) · bg би́тка (occasion of fighting) · eo konkurso (martial arts match) · ru сты́чка (occasion of fighting) · bg бой (battle) · la pugna (battle) · cs zápas (martial arts match) · mn тулаан (occasion of fighting) · sh бо̀рба (battle) · mk битка (battle) · be бо́йка (occasion of fighting) · tpi pait (physical confrontation) · es socaliña (occasion of fighting) · da ballade (physical confrontation) · fr combativité (conflict of will, strife) · ar قِتَال (occasion of fighting) · uk сути́чка (occasion of fighting) · ast llucha (occasion of fighting) · sw vita (will or ability to fight) · ks یۄد (battle) · ajp هوشة (occasion of fighting) · es lucha (battle) · sv kamp (battle) · rm lutga (martial arts match) · nl gevecht (martial arts match) · nl strijd (battle) · eu borrokaldi (occasion of fighting) · it combattimento (battle) · ga troid (physical confrontation) · fr lutte (occasion of fighting) · ca baralla (physical confrontation) · fi taistelu (physical confrontation) · ko 싸움 (occasion of fighting) · izh kähäkkä (occasion of fighting) · uk боротьба́ (conflict of will, strife) · is slagur (occasion of fighting) · be барацьба́ (conflict of will, strife) · cs rvačka (physical confrontation) · nrf batâle (battle) · de Prügelei (physical confrontation) · az döyüş (battle) · is slagur (martial arts match) · nb kamp (conflict of will, strife) · da slag (battle) · az dalaşma (occasion of fighting) · nb slåsskamp (occasion of fighting) · lv kauja (occasion of fighting) · ja ファイト (will or ability to fight) · vi trận (martial arts match) · mr लढाई (battle) · de Kampf (battle) · es liza (battle) · bo འཐབ་འཛིང (battle) · es combate (martial arts match) · rup lumtã (occasion of fighting) · sv slag (battle) · az davakarlıq (will or ability to fight) · gd còmhrag (physical confrontation) · cs bitva (battle) · ko 교전 (battle) · la pugna (physical confrontation) · fa مسابقه (martial arts match) · nl gevecht (occasion of fighting) · nl gevecht (battle) · he מַאֲבָק (physical confrontation) · mn дайн (battle) · hi रण (battle) · ks لَڑٲے (occasion of fighting) · es combate (battle) · bo འཐབ་འཛིང (physical confrontation) · ckb شەڕ (occasion of fighting) · sh bòrba (battle) · nl boel (physical confrontation) · grc μάχη (occasion of fighting) · sq luftë (occasion of fighting) · mk бој (battle) · fr bataille (battle) · ne झगडा (occasion of fighting) · hu küzdelem (occasion of fighting) · he ריב (physical confrontation) · sl boj (battle) · fr combat (martial arts match) · he רוח קרב (will or ability to fight) · bo དམག་འཁྲུག (battle) · hi लड़ाई (battle) · rm lutga (occasion of fighting) · tg мубориза (battle) · ca combat (occasion of fighting) · it lotta (occasion of fighting) · is bardagi (martial arts match) · pl bitwa (occasion of fighting) · eo batalo (occasion of fighting) · sa युद्ध (occasion of fighting) · fi kamppailu (martial arts match) · cs rvačka (occasion of fighting) · nl gevecht (physical confrontation) · lt kova (battle) · pt combate (battle) · mn тулаан (battle) · nb slag (battle) · rif amenɣi (occasion of fighting) · pl bój (occasion of fighting) · pl bitwa (conflict of will, strife) · sv kamp (conflict of will, strife) · it battaglia (battle) · da slagsmål (physical confrontation) · fa مبارزه (martial arts match) · gd còmhrag (occasion of fighting) · sk boj (battle) · ht lalit (occasion of fighting) · fa نبرد (battle) · fa پیکار (battle) · eu gudu (battle) · cs bitka (occasion of fighting) · mr लढाई (occasion of fighting) · sh borba (conflict of will, strife) · cs boj (battle) · lv kauja (battle) · hu ütközet (battle) · sk bitva (battle) · pt combate (martial arts match) · ja 喧嘩 (physical confrontation) · rm cumbata (battle) · cs bojovnost (will or ability to fight) · lv kautiņš (physical confrontation) · kk төбелес (martial arts match) · pis faet (occasion of fighting) · ru бата́лия (battle) · cmn 戰鬥 /战斗 (battle) · gd sabaid (battle) · fi taistelu (conflict of will, strife) · la pugna (occasion of fighting) · da kamp (conflict of will, strife) · ro luptă (occasion of fighting) · ru би́тва (battle) · fa دعوا (physical confrontation) · gd sabaid (occasion of fighting) · rif amenɣi (physical confrontation) · ru бой (martial arts match) · be бой (battle) · sv fajt (martial arts match) · bg сраже́ние (battle) · ja 試合 (martial arts match) · es lucha (occasion of fighting) · ajp قِتَال (occasion of fighting) · he קְרָב (battle) · oc lucha (occasion of fighting) · it incontro (occasion of fighting) · fi ottelu (martial arts match) · sh бо̑ј (battle) · ang ġefeoht (occasion of fighting) · nb slåsskamp (physical confrontation) · be бой (occasion of fighting) · bg бой (physical confrontation) · fi tappelu (occasion of fighting) · jje 싸움 (occasion of fighting) · fa نزاع (conflict of will, strife) · hy պայքար (conflict of will, strife) · sw vita (battle) · be змага́нне (battle) · yi קאַמף (occasion of fighting) · he לְחִימָה (occasion of fighting) · sq betejë (battle) · grc δῆρις (battle) · nl strijd (conflict of will, strife) · fa مبارزه (battle) · uk бій (battle) · ja 戦意 (will or ability to fight) · ko 싸움 (battle) · bo འཐབ་འཁྲུག (occasion of fighting) · it combattimento (martial arts match) · bo འཐབ་འཁྲུག (physical confrontation) · uk бойови́сько (battle) · lt grumtynės (occasion of fighting) · ru сраже́ние (battle) · et lahing (battle) · tr savaş (battle) · pt luta (occasion of fighting) · es socaliña (conflict of will, strife) · fa کشمکش (conflict of will, strife) · sw vita (conflict of will, strife) · de Kampfgeist (will or ability to fight) · cmn 鬥爭 /斗争 (battle) · az dava (occasion of fighting) · ja 戦闘 (battle) · sh tuča (physical confrontation) · ro bătălie (battle) · mk бој (occasion of fighting) · ga troid (occasion of fighting) · mnc ᠠᡶᠠᠨ (occasion of fighting) · mn ᠲᠤᠯᠤᠭᠠᠨ (battle) · pt batalha (battle) · da kamp (occasion of fighting) · hi युद्ध (battle) · izh tappelo (physical confrontation) · fi tappelu (physical confrontation) · pl starcie (physical confrontation) · uk би́тва (battle) · la rixa (physical confrontation) · pl bitwa (battle) · bg борба́ (conflict of will, strife) · acw مُضاربة (occasion of fighting) · he קְרָב (martial arts match) · pl walka (martial arts match) · km ព្យតិហារ (occasion of fighting) · gd cogadh (battle) · is bardagi (battle) · ang ġefeoht (battle) · pt luta (conflict of will, strife) · nl slag (battle) · rm cumbata (occasion of fighting) · nl vechtlust (will or ability to fight) · de Kampf (occasion of fighting) · fr combat (occasion of fighting) · ko 전쟁 (battle) · ar مَعْرَكَة (battle) · be бата́лія (battle) · mn тэмцэл (battle) · ru дра́ка (physical confrontation) · tg корзор (occasion of fighting) · av рагъ (occasion of fighting) · mn ᠲᠡᠮᠡᠴᠡᠯ (battle) · sh bȏj (battle) · be бі́тва (battle) · sh би̏тка (battle) · ota پرخاش (battle) · pt briga (physical confrontation) · gd cogadh (physical confrontation) · lt muštynės (occasion of fighting) · pt luta (martial arts match) · eu bataila (battle) · km ជំលោះ (occasion of fighting) · hi झगड़ा (battle) · ca batussa (physical confrontation) · es lid (battle) · bg би́тка (battle) · tpi pait (occasion of fighting) · ru борьба́ (conflict of will, strife) · cmn 鬥爭 /斗争 (occasion of fighting) · nb stridslyst (will or ability to fight) · bo གཡུལ (battle) · rup alumtã (occasion of fighting) · pl bitwa (physical confrontation) · sv strid (battle) · cmn 戰鬥 /战斗 (occasion of fighting) · sw vita (occasion of fighting) · th การต่อสู้ (occasion of fighting) · uk бі́йка (occasion of fighting) · nrf bastaude (occasion of fighting) · sv match (martial arts match) · bo འཁྲུག་རྩོད (occasion of fighting) · ota صاواش (battle) · pl bój (battle) · sl bitka (battle) · fi taistelutahto (will or ability to fight) · he קְרָב (occasion of fighting) · he מַאֲבָק (conflict of will, strife) · ht lit (occasion of fighting) · ca lluita (occasion of fighting) · fr bagarre (physical confrontation) · lt mūšis (battle) · gd sabaid (physical confrontation) · ko 전투 (battle) · tr dövüş (physical confrontation) · sk bitka (battle) · tpi pait (battle) · pl walka (conflict of will, strife) · lt grumtynės (physical confrontation) · ja 戦い (occasion of fighting) · lt kova (occasion of fighting)