fortis

American  

[fawr-tis] / ˈfɔr tɪs /

adjective

1. pronounced with considerable muscular tension and breath pressure, resulting in a strong fricative or explosive sound. In stressed position (p, t, k, ch, f, th, s, sh) and sometimes (h) are fortis in English as compared with (b, d, g, j, v, th̸, z, and zh), which are lenis.

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noun

fortes plural

1. a fortis consonant.

fortis British  

/ ˈfɔːtɪs /

adjective

1. (of a consonant) articulated with considerable muscular tension of the speech organs or with a great deal of breath pressure or plosion

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noun

1. a consonant, such as English p or f , pronounced with considerable muscular force or breath pressure

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• fortes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of fortis

1905–10; < Latin: strong, powerful, firm

Example Sentences

Indeed, the U.S. action in Venezuela had a “rather positive than negative” impact on Latin American equities, said Philippe Gijsels, chief strategy officer at BNP Paribas Fortis, in emailed comments to Barron’s.

From Barron's • Jan. 5, 2026

Ms Yahlom was interviewed under caution by police following the removal of the ribbons from the railings on Fortis Green Road, although she was not arrested.

From BBC • Oct. 14, 2025

The approval allows IHH to raise its stake in Fortis to 57.2%, but Fortis’s current share price of INR980 is far above the initial proposed offer price of INR170, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 6, 2025

Lazard is advising Belgium on the move, while BNP Paribas Fortis, BofA Securities and Goldman Sachs International are acting as joint bookrunners, it added.

From Reuters • Feb. 28, 2023

His opponent, a quiet boy named Fortis, wipes sleet from his eyes and stares, open-mouthed, as Faris collapses to his knees, clawing at an enemy no one else can see.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir