Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense fights, present participle fighting, past tense, past participle fought
1. verb
If you fight something unpleasant, you try in a determined way to prevent it or stop it happening.
More units to fight forest fires are planned. [VERB noun]
I've spent a lifetime fighting against racism and prejudice. [VERB + against]
Fight is also a noun.
...the fight against drug addiction. [+ against]
2. verb
If you fight for something, you try in a determined way to get it or achieve it.
Our members are willing to fight for a decent pay rise. [VERB + for]
Lee had to fight hard for his place on the expedition. [VERBfor noun]
I told him how we had fought to hold on to the company. [VERB to-infinitive]
The team has fought its way to the cup final. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: strive, battle, push, struggle More Synonyms of fight
Fight is also a noun.
I too am committing myself to continue the fight for justice. [+ for]
3. verb
If an army or group fights a battle with another army or group, they oppose each other with weapons. You can also say that two armies or groups fight a battle.
The two men fought a battle over land and water rights. [V n + over/for]
In the latest incident police fought a gun battle with a gang. [VERB noun + with]
Clans had fought each other for centuries over ownership of pastures. [V n + for/over]
4. verb
If a person or army fights in a battle or a war, they take part in it.
He fought in the war and was taken prisoner by the enemy. [VERB]
If I were a young man I would sooner go to prison than fight for this country. [VERB + for]
My father did leave his university to fight the Germans. [VERB noun]
Last month rebels fought their way into the capital. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: take the field, cross swords, taste battle More Synonyms of fight
fightinguncountable noun
More than nine hundred people have died in the fighting.
Synonyms: battle, war, conflict, combat More Synonyms of fight
5. See also dogfight
6. verb
If one person fights with another, or fights them, the two people hit or kick each other because they want to hurt each other. You can also say that two people fight.
As a child she fought with her younger sister. [VERB + with]
I did fight him, I punched him but it was like hitting a wall. [VERB noun]
He wrenched the crutch from Jacob, who didn't fight him for it. [VERB noun + for]
I refuse to act that way when my kids fight. [VERB]
You get a lot of unruly drunks fighting each other. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: brawl, clash, scrap [informal], exchange blows More Synonyms of fight
Fight is also a noun.
He had had a fight with Smith and bloodied his nose. [+ with]
7. verb
If one person fights with another, or fights them, they have an angry disagreement or quarrel. You can also say that two people fight.
[informal]
She was always arguing with him and fighting with him. [VERB + with]
Gwendolen started fighting her teachers. [VERB noun]
Mostly, they fight about paying bills. [V + about/over, VERB noun preposition]
[Also VERB]
Synonyms: quarrel, argue, row, dispute More Synonyms of fight
Fight is also a noun.
We think maybe he took off because he had a big fight with his dad the night before.
8. verb
If you fight your way to a place, you move towards it with great difficulty, for example because there are a lot of people or obstacles in your way.
I fought my way into a carriage just before the doors closed. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
Peter fought his way through a blizzard to save one of the chickens. [VERBway preposition/adverb]
9. countable noun
A fight is a boxing match.
This was Hyer's last fight, for no one else challenged him.
The referee stopped the fight.
Synonyms: match, contest, bout, battle More Synonyms of fight
10. verb
To fight means to take part in a boxing match.
In a few hours' time one of the world's most famous boxers will be fighting in Britainfor the first time. [VERB]
I'd like to fight him because he's undefeated and I want to be the first man to beathim. [VERB noun]
I'd like to fight him for the title. [VERB noun + for]
Synonyms: box, spar with, exchange blows with More Synonyms of fight
11. verb
If you fight an election, you are a candidate in the election and try to win it.
The former party treasurer helped raise almost £40 million to fight the electioncampaign. [VERB noun]
12. countable noun [usually singular]
You can use fight to refer to a contest such as an election or a sports match.
[journalism]
...the fight for power between the two parties.
13. verb
If you fight a case or a court action, you make a legal case against someone in a very determined way, or you put forward a defence when a legal case is made against you.
Watkins fought his case in various courts for 10 years. [VERB noun]
The newspaper is fighting a damages action brought by the actress. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: oppose, face, take on, resist More Synonyms of fight
14. uncountable noun
Fight is the desire or ability to keep fighting.
I thought that we had a lot of fight in us.
Synonyms: resistance, spirit, pluck, militancy More Synonyms of fight
15. verb
If you fight an emotion or desire, you try very hard not to feel it, show it, or act on it, but do not always succeed.
I desperately fought the urge to giggle. [VERB noun]
He fought with the urge to smoke one of the cigars he'd given up a while ago. [VERB + with]
He fought to be patient with her. [VERB to-infinitive]
Synonyms: repress, control, check, master More Synonyms of fight
16.
See to fight for breath
17.
See a fighting chance
18.
See fighting fit
19.
See fight for one's life
20. to fight a losing battle
21. fight to the finish
22. to fight fire with fire
23. to fight shy
Phrasal verbs:
See fight back
See fight down
See fight off
See fight out
More Synonyms of fight
fight in British English
(faɪt)
verbWord forms: fights, fighting or fought
1.
to oppose or struggle against (an enemy) in battle
2.
to oppose or struggle against (a person, thing, cause, etc) in any manner
3. (transitive)
to engage in or carry on (a battle, contest, etc)
4. (whenintr often foll by for)
to uphold or maintain (a cause, ideal, etc) by fighting or struggling
to fight for freedom
5. (transitive)
to make or achieve (a way) by fighting
6. (intransitive) boxing
a.
to box, as for a living
b.
to use aggressive rough tactics
7.
to engage (another or others) in combat
8. fight it out
9. fight shy of
noun
10.
a battle, struggle, or physical combat
11.
a quarrel, dispute, or contest
12.
resistance (esp in the phrase to put up a fight)
13.
the desire to take part in physical combat (esp in the phrase to show fight)
14.
a boxing match
Derived forms
fighting (ˈfighting)
noun, adjective
Word origin
Old English feohtan; related to Old Frisian fiuchta, Old Saxon, Old High German fehtan to fight
fight in American English
(faɪt)
verb intransitiveWord forms: fought or ˈfighting
1.
a.
to take part in a physical struggle or battle; struggle
b.
to box, esp. professionally
2.
to struggle or work hard in trying to beat or overcome someone or something; contend
3.
to argue or quarrel; dispute
often with about or over
verb transitive
4.
a.
to oppose physically or in battle, as with fists, weapons, etc.
b.
to box with in a contest
5.
to try to overcome; struggle against or contend with, as by argument, legislation, etc.
6.
to engage in or carry on (a war, conflict, case, etc.)
7.
to gain by struggle
to fight one's way to the top
8.
to cause to fight; manage (a boxer, gamecock, etc.)
noun
9.
a physical struggle; battle; combat
10.
any struggle, contest, or quarrel
11.
power or readiness to fight; pugnacious spirit
full of fight
SIMILAR WORDS: conˈflict
Idioms:
fight it out
fight off
Word origin
ME fighten < OE feohtan, akin to Ger fechten < IE base *pek-, to pluck hair or wool > OE feoh (see fee) & L pecten, a comb, pecu, cattle
More idioms containing
fight
fight for your life
fight fire with fire
a knock-down drag-out fight
fight to the death to do something
fight your corner
fight like cat and dog
fight a losing battle
fight a rearguard action
someone can't fight their way out of a paper bag
fight like a lion
fight a rearguard action
fight tooth and nail
Examples of 'fight' in a sentence
fight
You want people who will fight for their positions.
The Sun (2016)
Just take one fight at a time.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He has also hinted that he does not want to fight a general election as party leader.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But somehow he survived to fight another day.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This is a time to stop fighting past battles and look to the future.
The Sun (2017)
Yet he still fights to be heard.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Which makes it sound less like a charity and more like an army fighting a war.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We need to be men and to show fight and determination.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Yet the fight between the two of them went all the way to the finishing line.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
What the hell were these people fighting for?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It must have been all theoretical because no one had actually fought in these conditions before.
Patrick Bishop FIGHTER BOYS: Saving Britain 1940 (2003)
Police have insisted that those who were killed had resisted arrest or fought back.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Would he be prepared to fight another election?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Your columnist lives to fight another day.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Now he is fighting a lonely battle.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Some of the same battles are still being fought.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Their improvised battle groups simply fought to the death where they stood.
Max Hastings Nemesis: The Battle for Japan, 194445 (2007)
Rival factions and some army leaders are fighting a fierce rearguard action against the president.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The solidity we showed and the fight and character was great.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
You need to fight on two fronts.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We could raise any amount it takes to fight this.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Here are some ways to fight back.
The Sun (2013)
We must look at all the matches and keep fighting.
The Sun (2014)
But it was decided at the very top to fight the case and to fight it hard.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
We have a lot more fight and desire about us.
The Sun (2010)
They have fighting power and mental power.
The Sun (2010)
We would end up with no big fight and no belt.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Yet this little vehicle is ready to put up a fight.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Our fighters are strong and will fight until the last drop of blood.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yet people have always fought over it.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They are fighting addicts who will be happy to keep fighting.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
After that, it will be up to chiefs from racing and betting to referee their fight.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
fight
British English: fight /faɪt/ NOUN
A fight against something is an attempt to stop it.
...the fight against poverty.
American English: fight
Arabic: قِتَال
Brazilian Portuguese: luta
Chinese: 战斗
Croatian: borba
Czech: boj
Danish: kamp
Dutch: gevecht
European Spanish: lucha
Finnish: taistelu
French: bagarre
German: Kampf
Greek: μάχη
Italian: lotta
Japanese: 戦い
Korean: 싸움
Norwegian: slagsmål
Polish: walka
European Portuguese: luta
Romanian: luptă
Russian: противоборство
Latin American Spanish: pelea
Swedish: slagsmål
Thai: การต่อสู้
Turkish: dövüş
Ukrainian: боротьба
Vietnamese: trận chiến đấu
British English: fight /faɪt/ VERB
If you fight something unpleasant, you try in a determined way to prevent it or stop it happening.
She has devoted her life to fighting poverty.
I've spent a lifetime fighting against racism and prejudice.
American English: fight
Arabic: يُقَاتِلُ
Brazilian Portuguese: lutar
Chinese: 对抗
Croatian: boriti se
Czech: bojovat
Danish: kæmpe
Dutch: vechten
European Spanish: combatir
Finnish: taistella
French: se battre
German: kämpfen
Greek: μάχομαι
Italian: lottare
Japanese: 戦う
Korean: 싸우다
Norwegian: slåss
Polish: wywalczyć
European Portuguese: lutar
Romanian: a lupta
Russian: сражаться
Latin American Spanish: luchar
Swedish: slåss
Thai: ต่อสู้
Turkish: dövüşmek
Ukrainian: боротися
Vietnamese: chiến đấu
All related terms of 'fight'
fight off
If you fight off something, for example an illness or an unpleasant feeling , you succeed in getting rid of it and in not letting it overcome you.
fight out
If two people or groups fight something out , they fight or argue until one of them wins .
sea fight
a battle at sea
fight back
If you fight back against someone or something that is attacking or harming you, you resist them actively or attack them.
fight down
If you fight down an emotion or a desire, you try very hard not to feel it, show it, or act on it.
fight scene
A scene in a play, film, or book is part of it in which a series of events happen in the same place.
free fight
a fight without rules in which everyone may join
prize fight
A prize fight is a boxing match where the boxers are paid to fight, especially one that is not official.
sword fight
a fight or trial of skill with swords
title fight
a boxing match to determine the winner of a championship
faction fight
a fight between rival groups, usually originating in tribal or clan feuds
fight disease
A disease is an illness which affects people, animals, or plants, for example one which is caused by bacteria or infection .
fight poverty
Poverty is the state of being extremely poor .
pillow fight
a mock fight in which participants thump each other with pillows
fight a case
In law, a case is a trial or other legal inquiry .
fight infection
An infection is a disease caused by germs or bacteria .
fight it out
to contend or struggle until a decisive result is obtained
fight shy of
to keep aloof from
fight windmills
to fight imaginary evils or opponents
snowball fight
a playful event in which people throw snowballs at one another
straight fight
a contest between two candidates only
to fight shy
If you fight shy of something, you try very hard to avoid it.
fight a blaze
A blaze is a large fire which is difficult to control and which destroys a lot of things.
fight city hall
to take up the apparently futile fight against petty or impersonal bureaucratic authority
fight-or-flight
involving or relating to an involuntary response to stress in which the hormone adrenaline is secreted into the blood in readiness for physical action, such as fighting or running away
fight your corner
to state your opinion openly and defend it strongly
dogfight
A dogfight is a fight between fighter planes , in which they fly close to one another and move very fast .
fistfight
a fight in which people hit each other with their fists
fight like a lion
to fight bravely
fight to the death
If you say that you will fight to the death for something, you are emphasizing that you will do anything to achieve or protect it, even if you suffer as a consequence .
fight a losing battle
to try to achieve something when you are very unlikely to succeed
fight fire with fire
to use the same methods of fighting and the same amount of force as your opponent
fight for one's life
Someone who is fighting for their life is making a great effort to stay alive , either when they are being physically attacked or when they are very ill .
fight for your life
to be very seriously ill or injured and be in danger of dying
fight tooth and nail
to make a determined effort to keep or get something, when other people are trying to take it away from you or prevent you from having it
fight to the finish
A fight to the finish is one in which one of the people or groups fighting is killed or completely defeated .
to fight for breath
If you fight for breath , you try to breathe but find it very difficult.
a fight to the death
If you refer to a fight or contest as a fight to the death , you are emphasizing that it will not stop until the death or total victory of one of the opponents .
fight a rearguard action
to try hard to stop something happening , without much hope of success
fight like cat and dog
to frequently have violent arguments
fight like Kilkenny cats
to fight until both parties are destroyed
fight-or-flight reaction
the response of the sympathetic nervous system to a stressful event, preparing the body to fight or flee , associated with the adrenal secretion of epinephrine and characterized by increased heart rate, increased blood flow to the brain and muscles, raised sugar levels, sweaty palms and soles , dilated pupils , and erect hairs
to fight fire with fire
If you fight fire with fire , you deal with people attacking or threatening you by using similar methods to the ones that they are using.
to fight a losing battle
If you are fighting a losing battle , you are trying to achieve something but are not going to be successful .
to fight a rearguard action
if someone is fighting a rearguard action or mounting a rearguard action, they are trying very hard to prevent something from happening , even though it is probably too late for them to succeed
a knock-down drag-out fight
a very emotional , angry , or even violent argument or fight
fight to the death to do something
to try very hard to achieve something or to keep hold of something, refusing to give up
to fight tooth and nail fight sth tooth and nail
If you fight tooth and nail to do something, you do everything you can in order to achieve it. If you fight something tooth and nail , you do everything you can in order to prevent it.
fight a rearguard action/ mount a rearguard action
If someone is fighting a rearguard action or mounting a rearguard action , they are trying very hard to prevent something from happening , even though it is probably too late for them to succeed .
someone can't fight their way out of a paper bag
said to mean that someone is very bad at fighting
Chinese translation of 'fight'
fight
(faɪt)
Word forms:ptppfought
n(c)
(lit) 斗(鬥)殴(毆) (dòu'ōu) (场(場), chǎng)
⇒ There were sometimes fights between the workers.有时工人之间会发生斗殴。 (Yǒushí gōngrén zhījiān huì fāshēng dòu'ōu.)
(Boxing) 拳击(擊)赛(賽) (quánjīsài) (场(場), chǎng)
(fig, against disease, alcoholism, prejudice) 斗(鬥)争(爭) (dòuzhēng) (场(場), chǎng)
⇒ the fight against drug abuse与滥用毒品所作的斗争 (yǔ lànyòng dúpǐn suǒ zuò de dòuzhēng)
(= quarrel) 争(爭)吵 (zhēngchǎo)
⇒ He had a big fight with his dad.他和他的父亲大吵了一架。 (Tā hé tā de fùqīn dà chǎole yī jià.)