dogfight

American  

[dawg-fahyt, dog-] / ˈdɔgˌfaɪt, ˈdɒg- /

noun

1. a violent fight between dogs.

2. a fight between warring fighter planes.

3. any rough-and-tumble physical battle.

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verb (used with object)

dogfought, dogfighting

1. to engage in a dogfight with.

verb (used without object)

dogfought, dogfighting

1. to engage in a dogfight.

dogfight British  

/ ˈdɒɡˌfaɪt /

noun

1. close quarters combat between fighter aircraft

2. any rough violent fight

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Etymology

Origin of dogfight

1650–60; 1915 dogfight for def. 2; dog + fight

Example Sentences

He then conceded, “It’s going to be a dogfight.”

From Los Angeles Times

So why enable a future scenario in which F-35 jets conduct dogfights against each other?

From The Wall Street Journal

Williams picked off jets in a tussle that lasted more than 30 minutes—an astonishing duration, given that dogfights tend to be measured in seconds.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is easier to play high tempo, ambitious rugby on a summer tour and against southern hemisphere opposition than in the depths of a Six Nations dogfight.

From BBC

In stark contrast to the narrow loss to New Zealand last week, Scotland enjoyed a strong first half and went 21-0 up early in the second, before being dragged into a dogfight by Los Pumas.

From BBC

Related Words

• action
• altercation
• argument
• battle
• bout
• brawl
• clash
• combat
• conflict
• confrontation
• contest
• controversy
• disagreement
• dispute
• duel
• exchange
• feud
• match
• melee
• quarrel