French word

agressif

Pronunciation

IPA/agʁɛsif/

Meaning

  • adjectiveaggressive

Example

Il est agressif avec les autres.

He is aggressive toward other people.

Illustration for agressif (aggressive)

More examples

Le chien devient agressif quand on s'approche.

The dog becomes aggressive when someone approaches.

Core concept

A person or manner that presses against others with hostile force, through words or physical acts.

Common phrases

  • être agressif

    be aggressive

  • comportement agressif

    aggressive behavior

  • ton agressif

    aggressive tone

Similar words

violent: Involving physical force or violence intended to harm someone.
hostile: Clearly expressing hostility or deep antipathy toward others.
menaçant: Using words or actions to threaten others and make them afraid.
provocateur: Deliberately provoking others to draw out a reaction or anger.

Definition in French

Qui adopte un comportement hostile ou menaçant envers les autres, verbalement ou physiquement.

Word origin

French agressif comes from Latin aggressivus, formed from aggredi, meaning to approach or attack, with the adjective suffix -if.

Usage tips

  • Agressif agrees in gender and number: agressive, agressifs, and agressives.

Other meanings

  • belligerentadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word