What does feuing mean?
Feuding is the present participle of feud, an English verb meaning to engage in a bitter or prolonged dispute. It can describe the activity itself, as in “the neighbours are feuding,” or qualify people, families, factions, or other parties involved in such a conflict, as in “the feuding cousins.” The word usually carries a stronger implication than a minor disagreement: it suggests hostility, persistence, and often a dispute that has continued over time. Although feuding most often concerns personal or communal rivalries, it is also used more broadly for sustained professional, political, or institutional conflict. As a verb form, it normally appears in progressive constructions such as “have been feuding”; as an adjective, it commonly precedes a noun. The related noun feud names both the quarrel and, in traditional usage, a long-standing animosity between families or groups. Feuding is recognized in standard British and American English, and its frequent pairing with “over” makes the point of dispute explicit.
To engage in a bitter or prolonged dispute with another person, family, group, or organization.
"The company and its former distributor have been feuding over payment terms."
Most often used in progressive or perfect-progressive constructions, such as “have been feuding.”
Engaged in a bitter or prolonged dispute, especially with another person, family, or group.
"Diplomatic efforts ended when the feuding delegates refused to meet."
Commonly placed before a noun, especially when the dispute itself is not the main focus of the sentence.
One word carries both a family history and a present-day argument: feud.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of feuing
Feuding was formed in English by adding the suffix -ing to feud. The noun feud comes from Old English fēhþ, meaning hostility, enmity, or dispute, and continues an older Germanic word for conflict. The same root also underlies feudal, feudalism, and feudatory, which reached English through medieval Latin and French.
Related word forms
How feuing is actually used
The form is chiefly a present participle, especially in progressive or perfect-progressive constructions such as “they have been feuding.” It is also standard as an adjective before a noun. It usually suggests a serious or persistent conflict rather than a minor disagreement.