How to pronounce fierce
Say it like FEERS. Fierce is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce fierce. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FEERS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fierce pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FEERSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of fierce
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FEERS.
What does fierce mean?
- marked by extreme and violent energy“a ferocious beating”“fierce fighting”
- marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid“fierce loyalty”“in a tearing rage”
- ruthless in competition“cutthroat competition”“bowelless readiness to take advantage”
Where does fierce come from?
From Middle English fers, fiers, borrowed from Old French fers (“wild", "ferocious”), nominative of fer, from Latin ferus (“wild", "untamed”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with fierce
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of fierce.
Questions about saying fierce
How do you pronounce fierce?
Say FEERS. The American pronunciation is /fɪrs/. In British English it is /fɪəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fierce?
Fierce is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: FEERS.
Is fierce pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /fɪəs/ (FEERS).