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tiger

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noun ti·ger \ˈtī-gər\

Definition of tiger

plural

tigers

  1. 1 plural also tiger a :  a large Asian carnivorous mammal (Panthera tigris) of the cat family having a usually tawny coat transversely striped with blackb :  any of several large wildcats (such as the jaguar or cougar)c :  a domestic cat with striped patternd Australia :  tasmanian tiger

  2. 2a :  a fierce, daring, or aggressive person or quality aroused the tiger in him a tiger for workb :  someone or something (such as a situation) that is formidable or impossible to control how the tiger of inflation can be tamed — J. A. Davenport —often used in the phrases ride a tiger and have a tiger by the tail

  3. 3 British :  a groom in livery

tigerish

play \-g(ə-)rish\ adjective

tigerishly

adverb

tigerishness

noun

tigerlike

play \-gər-ˌlīk\ adjective

See tiger defined for English-language learners

See tiger defined for kids

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Examples of tiger in a Sentence

  1. He was a tiger on the basketball court.

  2. even the best defense can't keep that tiger from scoring

Illustration of tiger

Origin and Etymology of tiger

Middle English tigre, from Old English tiger & Anglo-French tigre, both from Latin tigris, from Greek, probably of Iranian origin; akin to Avestan tighra- pointed; akin to Greek stizein to tattoo — more at stick


First Known Use: before 12th century

tiger Synonyms

Synonyms
barracuda, fire-breather, fire-eater, pit bull
Antonyms
milquetoast
Related Words
attack dog, hatchet man; aggressor, bully, shark; go-getter, hustler, live wire, self-starter; battler, fighter, scrapper; diehard, militant
Near Antonyms
pushover, pussycat, reed, softy (or softie), weakling, wimp

TIGER Defined for English Language Learners

tiger

play
noun

Definition of tiger for English Language Learners

  • : a large, wild cat that has a coat of usually yellow or orange fur and black stripes and that lives in Asia

  • : a striped cat that lives with people

  • : a person who is very fierce or aggressive

TIGER Defined for Kids

tiger

play
noun ti·ger \ˈtī-gər\

Definition of tiger for Students

  1. :  a large Asian meat-eating animal of the cat family that is light brown with black stripes

Learn More about tiger

  1. See words that rhyme with tiger Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tiger Spanish Central: Translation of tiger Nglish: Translation of tiger for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of tiger for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tiger

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Examples: tiger in a Sentence