tiger

1 of 2

noun

ti·​ger ˈtī-gər How to pronounce tiger (audio)
plural tigers
Synonyms of tigernext
1
plural also tiger
a
: a large Asian carnivorous mammal (Panthera tigris) of the cat family having a usually tawny coat transversely striped with black
b
: any of several large wildcats (such as the jaguar or cougar)
c
: a domestic cat with striped pattern
d
Australia : tasmanian tiger
2
a
: a fierce, daring, or aggressive person or quality
aroused the tiger in him
a tiger for work
b
: 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
British : a groom in livery
tigerish
ˈtī-g(ə-)rish How to pronounce tiger (audio)
adjective
tigerishly adverb
tigerishness noun
tigerlike
ˈtī-gər-ˌlīk How to pronounce tiger (audio)
adjective

Illustration of tiger

Illustration of tiger
  • tiger 1a

tigerish

2 of 2

adjective

ti·​ger·​ish ˈtīg(ə)rish How to pronounce tigerish (audio)
-rēsh
: of or relating to tigers : resembling a tiger usually in sleek grace, voracity, ferocity, or vigorous intensity of action
tigerish grace
a tigerish appetite
a tigerish fury
worked with tigerish concentration
tigerishly adverb
tigerishness noun
plural -es

Synonyms of tiger

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Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of tiger in a Sentence

Noun He was a tiger on the basketball court. even the best defense can't keep that tiger from scoring
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The tiger remained in the enclosure following the attack, and there is no wider risk posed to the public, according to authorities. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026 But what is underway at Colossal, besides the dire wolf and woolly mammoth projects, is work to genetically engineer the dodo bird, the Tasmanian tiger, and a giant bird called a moa, among others. — Colleen McKown, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026 That blue reflection, the tiger stripes on black that is wet, always wet, like a recollection that never dries, a memory of the sea. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026 Last year’s release was influenced by Mexican cuisine with a pulque finish, while this year looked to Ancient Egypt by giving the whiskey a finish in barrels seasoned with liqueur made from tiger nuts and black honey. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tiger

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tiger was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing tiger

Rhymes for tiger

See All Rhymes for tiger

Browse Nearby Words

tigella
tiger
tiger's-claw
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tiger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tiger. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tiger

noun
ti·​ger ˈtī-gər How to pronounce tiger (audio)
plural tigers also tiger
1
: a large Asian flesh-eating mammal of the same family as the domestic cat with a coat that is typically light brown to orange with mostly vertical black stripes
2
: any of several large wildcats (as the jaguar or cougar)
3
: a domestic cat with a striped coat

More from Merriam-Webster on tiger

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tiger

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