tiger

[ tahy-ger ]

noun

, plural ti·gers, ti·ger.

1. a large, carnivorous, tawny-colored and black-striped feline, Panthera tigris, of Asia, ranging in several subspecies from India and the Malay Peninsula to Siberia: the entire species is endangered, with some subspecies thought to be extinct.
2. the cougar, jaguar, thylacine, or other animal resembling the tiger.
3. a person resembling a tiger in fierceness, courage, etc.
4. a country that is considered to have a tiger economy:

   Taiwan is one of the four Asian tigers.

5. an additional cheer (often the word tiger ) at the end of a round of cheering.
6. any of several strong, voracious fishes, as a sand shark.
7. any of numerous animals with stripes similar to a tiger's.

adjective

1. noting or relating to a strict parenting style that demands academic excellence and obedience from children, associated especially with East Asians:

   a tiger mom; tiger parenting.

tiger

¹

/ ˈtaɪɡə /

noun

1. a large feline mammal, Panthera tigris, of forests in most of Asia, having a tawny yellow coat with black stripes
2. not in technical use any of various other animals, such as the jaguar, leopard, and thylacine
3. a dynamic, forceful, or cruel person
4. 1. a country, esp in E Asia, that is achieving rapid economic growth
   2. ( as modifier )

      a tiger economy

5. archaic.
   a servant in livery, esp a page or groom
6. short for tiger moth
7. slang.
   a ten-rand note
8. have a tiger by the tail informal.
   to find oneself in a situation that has turned out to be much more difficult to control than one had expected

Tiger

²

/ ˈtaɪɡə /

noun

1. See TIGR

Derived Forms

• ˈtigerishness, noun
• ˈtiger-like, adjective
• ˈtigerishly, adverb
• ˈtigerish, adjective

Other Words From

• tiger·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tiger¹

before 1000; Middle English tigre, Old English tīgras (plural) < Latin tīgris, tigris < Greek tígris

Word History and Origins

Origin of tiger¹

C13: from Old French tigre, from Latin tigris, from Greek, of Iranian origin

Example Sentences

Researchers say it is also important to see whether the LED lighting is effective in deterring other shark species known to attack humans, including bull sharks and tiger sharks.

From BBC

“They are not the typical tiger moms or strict matriarchs, like in ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ or ‘The Joy Luck Club.’

From Los Angeles Times

But if you are strolling that one lovely thoroughfare, be on the lookout for Kiernan Shipka, who likes to grab her coffee at Go Get Em Tiger, or Emma Roberts, who stocks up on periodicals at the newstand there.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think, at this point, I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV Golf at the start, and I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realize that not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods’ position,” McIlroy told the “Stick to Football” podcast in January.

From Los Angeles Times

“He became a tiger. He went over to beer for a while, thinking it wouldn’t happen, and it was just as bad. It didn’t make a difference. He had a low tolerance. He had blackouts,” she said.

From Salon

Related Words

• cougar
• cub
• leopard
• lynx