C1noun 3K

Guerrilla

🇬🇧 UK /["/ɡəˈrɪlə/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ɡəˈrɪlə/"]/

Meaning of Guerrilla

a member of a small group of soldiers who are not part of an official army and who fight against official soldiers, usually to try to change the government

In simple words: A fighter who uses surprise attacks and tricks to fight a larger force.

Guerrilla in a sentence

• urban guerrillas *(= those who fight in towns)*
• **guerrilla war/warfare** *(= fought by guerrillas* on one or both sides)
• a guerrilla movement
• Urban guerrillas detonated a car bomb in front of the company's headquarters.
• Seven soldiers and two guerrillas were killed after an attack on a border post.
• Sporadic fighting soon turned into full-scale guerrilla warfare.
• The guerrilla group denied any involvement in the assassination.
• The peace talks have put an end to the 17-year guerrilla war.

How to use Guerrilla

Often used in military contexts or discussions about unconventional tactics. Avoid using in formal settings without context. Can also refer to style in marketing.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Sounds like 'girl' + 'illa'— imagine a girl who's tough like a wild animal fighting back.

Related words

Collocations with Guerrilla

• armed
• urban
• communist
• army
• band
• force

Synonyms for Guerrilla

• insurgent
• rebel
• irregular fighter
• freedom fighter

Opposites of Guerrilla

• conventional soldier
• regular army

Common mistakes with Guerrilla

• Confused with 'gorilla' (the animal).
• Used inappropriately in formal writing.
• Assumed to always refer to combat situations.

Frequently asked questions about Guerrilla

What does Guerrilla mean?

A fighter who uses surprise attacks and tricks to fight a larger force.

What is the definition of Guerrilla?

a member of a small group of soldiers who are not part of an official army and who fight against official soldiers, usually to try to change the government

How do you use Guerrilla in a sentence?

urban guerrillas *(= those who fight in towns)*

Can you give another example of Guerrilla?

**guerrilla war/warfare** *(= fought by guerrillas* on one or both sides)

What are synonyms for Guerrilla?

Common alternatives include insurgent, rebel, irregular fighter, freedom fighter.

What is the opposite of Guerrilla?

Opposite meanings include conventional soldier, regular army.

What words go with Guerrilla?

It commonly pairs with armed, urban, communist, army, band, force.

What are common mistakes when using Guerrilla?

Confused with 'gorilla' (the animal). Used inappropriately in formal writing. Assumed to always refer to combat situations.

How do you pronounce Guerrilla?

US: /["/ɡəˈrɪlə/"]/, UK: /["/ɡəˈrɪlə/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Guerrilla?

Often used in military contexts or discussions about unconventional tactics. Avoid using in formal settings without context. Can also refer to style in marketing.

What CEFR level is Guerrilla?

"Guerrilla" is at C1 level on the CEFR scale.