What does tiger mean?
Tiger most often means the large, strongly built Asian cat with an orange-brown coat, black stripes, and white facial markings. It is native to Asia and is one of the largest living cats, known for solitary behavior, strength, and a forceful stalking gait. The noun can also be used informally for a fierce or energetic person, especially a child, and this sense may sound affectionate as well as approving. In zoological writing, “tiger” denotes the species Panthera tigris, while names such as “Bengal tiger” and “Siberian tiger” identify recognized regional populations or subspecies. As a verb, tiger is rare and means to hunt tigers; it is more often encountered in literary or historical contexts than in everyday speech. The word combines a precise zoological reference with a broader cultural association of ferocity, courage, and wild power. That dual use makes tiger useful beyond simply naming a striped cat.
A large Asian cat with an orange-brown coat, black stripes, and white facial markings; figuratively, an informal term for a fierce or energetic person.
"The wildlife sanctuary is home to several Bengal tigers."
The personal sense is informal and is often used affectionately of an energetic child.
To hunt tigers.
"Hunters spent weeks tigering in the remote mountains."
This use is rare and occurs chiefly in older, literary, or historical writing.
The regular plural is formed by adding -s.
"Two tigers were observed near the river."
No two tigers have the same stripe pattern—each animal's markings are its own natural fingerprint.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tiger come from?
The English word appeared in Middle English through Old French tigre and Medieval Latin tigris, which was borrowed from Greek tigris, the name of the big cat. The ultimate origin of the Greek word is uncertain, so proposed connections with other languages remain speculative. Related English forms include tigress, from French tigresse, as well as tigrine and tigroid, which preserve the same root.
Related word forms
How tiger is actually used
The animal sense is neutral and standard in British and American English. As a term for a fierce or energetic child, tiger is informal and may be affectionate. The verb is rare and is now more often encountered in literary or historical contexts than in everyday speech.
Easily confused with tiger
Tigris is a proper name for a major river in Southwest Asia and is normally pronounced /ˈtaɪɡrɪs/, whereas tiger is the name of the striped cat.