Etymology Map
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Fierce

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means violent, aggressive or intense

Where does the word "fierce" come from? It comes from Latin ferus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
ferus
Latin · ancient
"wild, untamed"
the same root as 'feral'
2
Stage 2 of 3
fiers
Old French · medieval
"proud, bold"
meant proud and bold; modern French 'fier' means proud
3
Stage 3 of 3
fierce
English · 1200s
"violent, intense"
kept the older sense of violent wildness
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Read the full story

Fierce’s story begins in Latin: ferus meant “wild, untamed.” The same root as 'feral'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as fiers. Meant proud and bold; modern French 'fier' means proud. It reached English by 1200s as fierce. Kept the older sense of violent wildness. Today, fierce means violent, aggressive or intense.